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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SAD vs Damdami Taksal: Panthic crisis rooted in contest for control of Sikh institutions and religious affairs
1 2 3 Jalandhar: The ongoing Panthic crisis — in which Akal Takht and Takht Patna Sahib-based clergy appear in conflict with each other, and Damdami Taksal and a few Nihang groups have opposed Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj's June 6 address — seems to be a continuation of events that have taken place in recent past, but it is rooted in a contest for control over Sikh institutions and religious affairs — one that is being fought with Shiromani Akali Dal ( SAD ) on one side and Damdami Taksal, along with other traditional groups, on the other. As the Gurdwara Reform Movement, which had roots in the Singh Sabha movement, led to the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and SAD in 1920, they remained closely intertwined and at the centre of Sikh religio-political affairs. Sikh sampardas (traditional groups), including the taksal and Nihangs, remained at the margins, with limited roles. Taksal rose to prominence with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as its head. After Operation Bluestar, it became the most influential organisation after SGPC and took an independent political line, which several times was at variance with mainstream Akalis. It remained a rallying point for Sikh groups, especially the radicals, and a parallel centre. The present taksal chief, Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, has also headed Sant Samaj. Facing pressure from Sikh groups of different hues, the Badals forged an alliance with the taksal, including the Sant Samaj. In the 2011 SGPC elections, they contested as allies, with the taksal getting 20 seats. "Earlier, the taksal and other sampardas would have no influence in decision making, even as several granthis were coming from a taksal background and a few of them rose to prominence. But after Sant Samaj, led by the taksal chief, openly aligned with SAD, they started having major influence in decision making," former SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh Randhawa, who also authored two books on the Sikh body and Sikh affairs, told TOI in Nov last year. When SAD openly and repeatedly said RSS and BJP were taking control of Sikh institutions outside Punjab and were also behind attempts to dislodge Sukhbir Singh Badal from the leadership of SAD, the taksal announced support for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the Maharashtra assembly elections in Nov. Bitterness had been brewing between SAD and the taksal. Now, the Akali Dal crisis has unfolded in a way that traditional groups, especially the taksal, have completely fallen out with the political party. Things have reached a point where Baba Dhumma led a dharna outside the SGPC office on March 28, during the meeting of its general house, against the unceremonious sacking of takht jathedars. In the latest stand-off, when taksal and Nihang groups are citing 'maryada' issues about the appointment of the new acting jathedar and arguing that his appointment has not been approved by the larger community, their grievance is also about their diminished role in SGPC's decision making. Over the past decade, Akali Dal weakened, despite controlling SGPC and by implication Akal Takht. However, the traditional groups gained influence and became a religious establishment in their own right. The phase of alliance seems to be over and they now appear to vying for control of religious institutions.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Religious row erupts between Akal Takht, Takht Patna Sahib, SGPC urges mutual dialogue for resolution
CHANDIGARH: A religious dispute has escalated between the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and Takht Patna Sahib, after the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of Takht Patna Sahib defied a decree issued by the Akal Takht. They declared its acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula as 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions allegedly hurting the sanctity and dignity of Takht Patna Sahib. In response, the Akal Takht Secretariat today ordered the Takht Patna Sahib management to withdraw this decision or face stern action. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has stepped in, stating that internal differences among Sikh supreme institutions are not in the interest of the Panth (community), and that mutual dialogue is the best path forward. A statement issued by the Akal Takht Secretariat reads, 'According to Sikh Rehat Maryada, Akal Takht Sahib is the highest among the five Takhts, and its decisions and orders are binding on all Takht Sahibs and the entire Sikh community. No group of Panj Pyaras from any Takht Sahib has the authority to question the supremacy of Akal Takht Sahib.' 'Takht Patna Sahib can take decisions related to local existing maryada, rituals and doctrines, but Akal Takht Sahib has full authority to deliberate on disputes related to religious matters and its opinion and decisions are considered final,' the statement further said. The Panj Pyare of Takht Patna Sahib yesterday held the temporal heads of Akal Takht Giani Gargaj and Damdama Sahib Tek Singh guilty of 'religious misconduct' and also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly meddling in Takht affairs. The Takht Patna Sahib issued this strong reaction after five Sikh priests, including Gargaj and Singh, had summoned the entire management panel of the Patna Sahib shrine over 'non-compliance' of earlier orders from the Akal Takht.
Local Italy
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Local Italy
Florence averts disaster thanks to key floodgate
About 250 people were evacuated from their homes on Friday after the equivalent of a month's worth of rain fell in six hours, flooding streets and swelling waterways across the Tuscany region. "The flood peak of the Arno passed without any critical issues," Tuscany's president, Eugenio Giani, wrote on social media on Saturday. However, Giani said he would still ask the government to declare a national emergency. Rescue teams were still responding to various critical situations in towns outside of Florence and further west towards Pisa. A newborn baby and two elderly people were among seven people blocked in their homes by the flooding and rescued by firefighters on Saturday, Giani said. Fire service videos taken from helicopters showed muddy, churning water flowing in the swollen Arno. Rainfall was expected to taper off by Saturday evening. 'Made the difference' Giani said the region's floodgate and expansion basins were "decisive" in protecting the famous Renaissance city of Florence and the surrounding areas. "In these difficult hours, the region's hydraulic safety system has made the difference despite the intense and persistent rainfall," he said. On Saturday morning, the level of the Arno stood at 3.87 metres and was slowly receding, Florence mayor Sara Funaro said. The levels of all tributaries had fallen below warning levels, she added. A red weather alert remained in place in the Florence area until midday on Saturday, with parks, cemeteries, markets, museums and libraries all closed. In nearby areas, the red alert was extended until midnight. The Arno, which flows through Florence and Pisa, is prone to flooding in spring and fall. A floodgate located between the two cities, which authorities ordered opened on Friday afternoon, "literally knocked down the Arno flood wave," Giani said. Construction of the floodgate began after a devastating flood in 1949 but was not completed in time to avert devastating flooding in 1966, when over 100 people were killed. Firefighters have carried out 430 interventions in the provinces of Florence, Prato, Pisa and Livorno over the past 24 hours. As of Friday evening, 248 people had been evacuated from nine different comuni, regional authorities said.
Jordan Times
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Jordan Times
Florence out of danger thanks to key floodgate
A picture shows damaged cars after a wall fell due to floods in Sesto Fiorentino near Florence Saturday (AFP photo) ROME — Florence was out of danger due to the "decisive" role of a key floodgate that prevented the Arno River from bursting its banks after heavy rains, Italian authorities said. Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes Friday after the equivalent of a month's worth of rain fell in six hours, flooding streets and swelling waterways in Tuscany, the region where Florence is located."The important flood peak of the Arno passed along the entire length without any critical issues," Tuscany's president, Eugenio Giani, wrote on social media Saturday. Giani said the region's floodgate and expansion basins were "decisive" in lowering the threat to the famous Renaissance city and surrounding areas, including Pisa. "In these difficult hours, the hydraulic safety system of the region has made the difference despite the intense and persistent rainfall," he Saturday morning, the level of the Arno was at 3.87 metres and slowly receding, said Florence mayor Sara Funaro, who added that the levels of all tributaries had fallen below warning Friday evening, the river had surpassed four metres. A red weather alert remains in effect Saturday till 1400 GMT, with parks, cemeteries, markets, museums and libraries closed. The Arno, which runs through Florence and Pisa, is prone to flooding in spring and fall. A floodgate located between Pisa and Florence, which authorities ordered opened Friday afternoon, "literally knocked down the Arno flood wave that was rising," Giani said. Construction of the floodgate began after a devastating flood in 1949. But it was not completed in time to help avert another massive flood in 1996 which killed over 100 people and destroyed or damaged countless works of art. Approximately 500 fire-fighters worked over the past 24 hours to carry out 430 interventions in the provinces of Florence, Prato, Pisa and Livorno, including rescues, due to flooding, landslides, the fire service said. Authorities were still responding to "critical issues" in certain towns outside Florence, he said. Friday's red weather alert caused Florence's world-famous Uffizi Galleries to close early, along with the Duomo cathedral.
Jordan Times
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Jordan Times
Dozens evacuated in Italy's flood-hit Tuscany
People watch the flow of the Arno River in Florence, on March 14, 2025. Heavy rain swelled rivers and flooded streets in an area near Florence with authorities issuing a red weather alert for the historic Italian city and its surroundings, urging residents to stay indoors (AFP photo) FLORENCE, Italy — Italian authorities ordered dozens of people in Tuscany to leave their homes on Friday after heavy rains swelled rivers and flooded streets near the historic cities of Florence and Pisa. Regional chief Eugenio Giani said a red weather alert demanded that people should exercise "maximum care and attention" amid "intense and persistent rain". Several dozen people were told to evacuate with the help of firefighters from low-lying villages and a floodplain near Pisa, according to the ANSA news agency. In Florence, the Uffizi Galleries -- the world-famous art museum — closed early, as did the Duomo cathedral. The fire service published images of cars partially submerged in the town of Sesto Fiorentino, north of Florence, as Giani told residents to keep clear of ground floors and basements. "My thoughts go to the populations affected by the bad weather that is hitting various areas of Italy, causing serious damage and difficulties to citizens," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X. The government would "guarantee all necessary support", she said. More than 500 firefighters were working across Tuscany, the interior minister said, with more than 300 interventions either carried out or planned. Bernardo Gozzini from the Tuscan weather service, Consorzio Lamma, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that 60 millimetres of rain had fallen in the area around Sesto Fiorentino between 6:00 am and noon. "In Florence, in the month of March, we usually have 70 millimetres of total precipitation," Gozzini said. "In practice, it is as if a month's worth of rain had fallen in six hours." Floodgates opened Schools, parks and cemeteries in Florence and nearby Prato were already closed after an order on Thursday. Giani said floodgates and expansion tanks had been opened to ease the pressure on the Arno, the river that runs through Florence and Pisa. In Florence, the Arno swelled to its highest level in the early evening, Giani said, without breaking its banks. It was expected to reach its peak level in Pisa overnight. Three people and their dog were hoisted to safety by helicopter in Gattaia, northeast of Florence, while in Fucecchio to the west, authorities set up beds for evacuees in a local gym. Alessio Mantellassi, mayor of Empoli, said in a live post on Facebook that the situation "is worse than in 2019", when the town flooded. "It's one of the hardest moments in recent history," he said. In Pisa, army soldiers placed sand bags behind a barrier lining a swollen river, while the city's Mayor Michele Conti said the situation was "very complex" and urged residents to stay at home. Across Tuscany's border in Emilia Romagna, where devastating floods left 17 people dead two years ago, authorities also issued a red weather warning. Some rivers in the region, which includes the historic city of Bologna, were already swollen by previous downpours. Michele de Pascale, president of Emilia Romagna, said there had been "very violent" weather on Friday morning. "We must pay great attention, it is a basin that has been hit several times in recent years by floods," he said in a statement. Scientists have repeatedly warned that man-made climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as floods.
