Latest news with #Dhadrianwale
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh high priests in Amritsar lift ban on Dhadrianwale's preaching after he expresses regret over controversial remarks
Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale AMRITSAR: Accepting the plea for forgiveness made by Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale before the five Sikh high priests, they lifted the five-year-old ban on his religious congregations during a meeting held on Wednesday. This came after Dhadrianwale expressed regret over his controversial statements regarding gurmat (the Gurus' tenets). A meeting of Sikh high priests, including the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht , Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj , Giani Rajdeep Singh , Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Baba Tek Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, granthi of Akal Takht, was held at the Akal Takht secretariat. While lifting the ban, the high priests instructed him to strictly adhere to Akal Takht-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada, traditions, and historical Sakhis (orally narrated historical account generally pertaining to times of Sikh Gurus). It was in 2020 that the Akal Takht had asked the community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale for misinterpreting 'Gurbani' and rejecting Sikh customs until he tendered an apology. Dhadrianwale is seen to be a rival of Harnam Singh Dhuma, the head of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal. In another decision, the Sikh high priests directed Sant Singh, president of the management committee of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Buddha Ji in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before Akal Takht in the case of the alleged harassment of Parminderpal Kaur, wife of Gurpreet Singh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo They also directed two patit (apostate) office-bearers—treasurer Kulwinder Singh Multani and secretary Jas Sohal—to submit their clarification in writing. Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harvinder Singh Sarna also appeared before the five Sikh high priests and expressed remorse over his inappropriate remarks about Sikh scholars and clergy. His repentance was accepted with the condition that he perform daily recitations of two Japji Sahib and two Chaupai Sahib paths for 11 days and offer "Karah Prasad" worth Rs 501 at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Delhi upon completion of the sewa, according to the resolution. Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, also sought forgiveness for his role in controversial pardon to Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The Sikh high priests accepted his apology on the condition that he performed daily sewa (voluntary service) of dishwashing at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Langar and the shoe service for one hour each. In another resolution, the Sikh high priests held an employee of Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi, guilty of immoral conduct with a female employee and declared him no longer eligible to hold any service in the institution.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Akal Takht pardons Sikh preacher Dhadrianwale
Amritsar : The Akal Takht on Wednesday pardoned prominent Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale for his controversial remarks on Sikh principles and traditions. The Sikh clergy also lifted the ban on his religious discourses and participation in public congregations, nearly five years after directing a community-wide boycott. The ban against Dhadrianwale was imposed on August 24, 2020, after a Sikh clergy sub-committee found some of his statements objectionable. The community was instructed at the time not to attend or host his events or share his videos. Dhadrianwale appeared in person before the Akal Takht and submitted a written apology during a meeting chaired by acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. The clergy, including Harmandar Sahib granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula, Takht Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Giani Joginder Singh and Akal Takht granthi Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, deliberated over the apology and announced its acceptance. In their official decree, the clergy instructed Dhadrianwale to strictly follow the Sikh 'rehat maryada', adhere to Sikh traditions and avoid making derogatory comments against Sikh institutions or sacred sarovars. He was also directed to approach the Akal Takht directly in case of any future disagreements related to Sikh preaching. During the pronouncement, Dhadrianwale stood before the Takht with folded hands and publicly accepted the decision unconditionally. As a symbolic act of atonement, he offered karah parshad worth ₹501, marking his formal return to the Sikh mainstream. Speaking to the media later, Dhadrianwale emphasised the need for renewed religious efforts to counter large-scale religious conversions and rising drug abuse in Punjab. 'To counter this, intensification of Sikh preaching is the need of the hour,' he said, acknowledging the Akal Takht's recent 'Dharam Parchar' initiative and his invitation to participate in it. 'I have apologised for the mistakes I committed knowingly or unknowingly while speaking in the congregations,' he added. Dhadrianwale also called on Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma to issue a public apology for the 2016 attack on his cavalcade in Ludhiana, in which his close aide Bhupinder Singh was killed. Though the assailants were never identified, Dhadrianwale has consistently accused Dhumma of involvement, a claim that has fuelled years of conflict between the two factions. Wednesday's developments come weeks after Giani Gargaj extended an invitation to Dhadrianwale on April 21 to clarify his position and rejoin the mainstream. In a related move, former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harwinder Singh Sarna also appeared at the Akal Takht to apologise for previous remarks made against Sikh clergy and scholars. Office-bearers of Canadian gurdwara suspended The Akal Takht has ordered the suspension of the president, secretary and treasurer of Gurdwara Baba Buddha Ji, Hamilton, Canada, over allegations of harassment of Parminderpal Kaur, widow of Sikh martyr Gurpreet Singh, a native of Ludhiana. The Takht has also summoned Sant Singh, president of the Hamilton gurdwara.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Restrictions on Dhadrianwale go as Damdami Taksal's influence wanes, conversions grow
Jalandhar: Sikh preacher , who was given a pardon and had five-year-old restrictions imposed on his congregations lifted by the on Wednesday, was the most influential Sikh preacher and would attract thousands to his congregations until an attempt was made on his life in May 2016, during which a fellow preacher was killed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was also among the main Sikh preachers who led protests over in Oct 2015, which, along with the Behbal Kalan police firing incident, became the biggest reason for SAD and Badals losing ground on the Panthic turf, the one which started with SAD losing the 2017 assembly elections. It later emerged that Dhadrianwale was attacked by followers amid bitter statements between him and taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma. Later, the taksal and a few others took exception to Dhadrianwale's interpretation of the Gurbani and Sikh history, and complained to the Akal Takht. He even faced threats of physical harm by some groups opposing him. Subsequently, a directive was issued against his congregations, and Dhadrianwale confined his congregations to his dera near Patiala. Taksal had an alliance with the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal and wielded major influence in taking decisions of major Sikh institutions, including the Sikh high priests and SGPC. Even as SAD, and especially Badals, faced the heat on the issue of sacrilege, Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing, and other issues, the taksal and the Sant Samaj led by Dhumma openly supported SAD in assembly and parliamentary elections. During these years of turmoil within the Sikh religio-political sphere, conversions by Christian pastors also became a huge issue. Though these were a statewide phenomenon, they especially increased in Majha. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There was a feeling in Sikh circles that unshackling Dhadrianwale after reconciliation could help counter conversions, as he not only attracted huge numbers but, despite restrictions placed on him, also attracted an online response, including among non-Sikhs. Equations changed in the last few months within Sikh institutions, after Dhumma extended support to the BJP-led Mahayuti in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Dhumma's support to BJP came even as the Sukhbir-led SAD alleged that the RSS and BJP were taking control of major Sikh bodies in Punjab and were behind trouble within SAD. There were some bitter statements by a few SAD leaders, followed by counters from the taksal's spokespersons, and then things cooled down. However, after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive committee sacked the jathedars of Akal Takht and Kesgarh Sahib, leading to huge turmoil in the panth, Dhumma launched a frontal attack on Sukhbir. After holding a meeting at Anandpur Sahib on March 14, he announced plans to hold a protest outside the SGPC head office in Amritsar during the SGPC's general body meeting. At this juncture, SAD accused Dhumma of collusion with BJP, branding him a "tool of the central govt and agencies". On Wednesday, after his appearance, Dhadrianwale also underlined the issue of conversions and the dire need for dharam parchar ( ). Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has been strongly underlining the issue of conversions. MSID:: 121320083 413 |
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh high priests lift ban on Dhadrianwale's preaching after he expresses regret over controversial remarks
Amritsar: Accepting the plea for forgiveness made by Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale before the five Sikh high priests, they lifted the five-year-old ban on his religious congregations in a meeting held on Wednesday, This was after Dhadrianwale expressed regret over his controversial statements regarding gurmat (Gurus' tenets). A meeting of Sikh high priests, including the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht , Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj , Giani Rajdeep Singh , Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Baba Tek Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, granthi of Akal Takht, was held at the Akal Takht secretariat. While lifting the ban, the high priests instructed him to strictly adhere to Akal Takht-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada, traditions, and historical Sakhis (orally narrated historical account generally pertaining to times of Sikh Gurus). It was in 2020 that the Akal Takht had asked the community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale for misinterpreting 'Gurbani' and rejecting Sikh customs until he tendered an apology. Dhadrianwale is seen to be a rival of Harnam Singh Dhuma, the head of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal. In another decision, the Sikh high priests directed Sant Singh, president of the management committee of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Buddha Ji in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before Akal Takht in the case of the alleged harassment of Parminderpal Kaur, wife of Gurpreet Singh. They also directed two patit (apostate) office-bearers—treasurer Kulwinder Singh Multani and secretary Jas Sohal—to submit their clarification in writing. Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harvinder Singh Sarna also appeared before the five Sikh high priests and expressed remorse over his inappropriate remarks about Sikh scholars and clergy. His repentance was accepted with the condition that he perform daily recitations of two Japji Sahib and two Chaupai Sahib paths for 11 days and offer "Karah Prasad" worth Rs 501 at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Delhi upon completion of the sewa, according to the resolution. Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, also sought forgiveness for his role in controversial pardon to Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The Sikh high priests accepted his apology on the condition that he performed daily sewa (voluntary service) of dishwashing at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Langar and the shoe service for one hour each. In another resolution, the Sikh high priests held an employee of Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi, guilty of immoral conduct with a female employee and declared him no longer eligible to hold any service in the institution.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Akal Takht lifts five-year-old ban on Sikh preacher Dhadrianwale after apology for ‘misinterpreting' Gurbani
CHANDIGARH: Breaking a five-year-long deadlock, the Akal Takht (the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs) today lifted the ban on religious congregations of Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale over allegations of misinterpreting the Gurbani (hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib), after he pledged to abide by Sikh principles and traditions. The five high priests accepted Dhadrianwale's apology letter while allowing him to preach Sikhism solely in the light of maintaining the sanctity of Gurmat and the Sikh code of conduct (Rehat Maryada). The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, questioned Dhadrianwale from the podium (faseel) of the Akal Takht regarding his controversial remarks on Sikh principles. Dhadrianwale humbly acknowledged his mistakes and expressed his desire to work within the mainstream of the Khalsa Panth, preaching Sikhism under the umbrella of the Akal Takht. Earlier in the day, Dhadrianwale submitted a formal apology to the five high priests, clarifying his stance on previous allegations of distorting Sikh principles in his discourses. As a symbolic gesture of acceptance, Gargaj ordered Dhadrianwale to offer a 'deg' worth ₹501 at the Akal Takht, a traditional act signifying humility and reconciliation. On April 22, Gargaj had extended an open invitation to Dhadrianwale and other Sikh preachers to appear before the Akal Takht, clarify past controversies, and rejoin the mainstream of Sikh preaching. In response, Dhadrianwale claimed that his statements were morphed and politically influenced, hinting at his willingness to clarify matters and join the Sikh propagation campaign being initiated by Gargaj. The five high priests included Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Golden Temple granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Joginder Singh, and Akal Takht's granthi Giani Gurbakshish Singh. Dhadrianwale, who is considered to be the arch-rival of Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma, appeared before the five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht today and sought forgiveness for his mistakes. Last week, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with looking into a rape-murder case in Patiala had recommended that the FIR against Dhadrianwale, registered in December last year, be cancelled, as it could not find anything to substantiate the allegations. The lifting of the ban against Dhadrianwale comes at a time when Dhuma has turned against the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Dhuma wants the SGPC to remove acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He is now reportedly close to the BJP, especially since the SAD snapped political ties with its long-time ally. A five-member committee was constituted by the Akal Takht in 2019 to probe the allegations against Dhadrianwale for allegedly misinterpreting the Gurbani and insulting Sikh customs. On August 24, 2020, the Akal Takht asked the Sikh community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale until he issued a clarification on the allegations and apologised for them.
