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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Akal Takht panel's delegate meet: SGPC puts ball in Takht jathedar's court
In a fix over the Takht-appointed panel's request to hold a delegate session at its headquarters, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has asked jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to take a final call on the issue. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has asked jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to take a final call on the issue. The Takht-appointed panel, which is to oversee the reorganisation of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), as per the mandate pronounced during the December 2 decree last year from the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs by clergy, had announced their delegate session on August 11 at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, headquarters of the gurdwara body. The five-member panel, including Iqbal Singh Jhudan, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri and Satwant Kaur, conducted a parallel membership drive and is now geared up to hold elections of party president and other office-bearers. However, the request has Badal-controlled SGPC in a fix. Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD camp, which never accepted the decree in totality, had conducted its delegate meeting on April 12 at the SGPC headquarters. SGPC dilemma stems from two factors, one, how will the Sukhbir-led camp in the gurdwara body react to giving 'rebel' leaders space and secondly, not allowing it will be viewed as a defiance to the Takht's December 2 decree. Trying to wriggle out of the situation, the SGPC chief secretary, Kulwant Singh Manan, has written a letter to Akal Takht jathedar requesting him to issue directions from the highest Sikh temporal seat in this regard. The written request of the Akal Takht panel was also forwarded to the jathedar. Sources, privy to the development, confirmed the communication sent by the SGPC. When contacted, Manan neither confirmed nor denied sending a letter to Akal Takht but said: 'The panel will get an answer in two to three days.' This matter was to be deliberated in the Sikh clergy meeting on August 1. But it was deferred to August 6 after the brother-in-law of jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj passed away. While awarding tankhah (religious punishment) to Sukhbir Singh Badal and other party leaders for the mistakes committed by the party and its government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017 on complaint of rebels, the Akal Takht had on December 2 last year stated that the SAD leadership had lost the moral right to give political patronage to the Sikh Panth because of their 'sins'. The Sukhbir camp had initiated its recruitment drive, citing legalities, a move termed as a violation of the Takht's decree. Akal Takht then jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had given Takht-appointed panel nod in February to start a recruitment drive.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Akal Takht jathedar condemns denial of entry to Amritdhari Sikh candidate in Rajasthan high court exam
Representative Image AMRITSAR : The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj condemned the alleged denial of entry to an Amritdhari Sikh candidate, Gurpreet Kaur, from village Pheloke, district Tarn Taran, for wearing a kirpan while appearing for the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur) Civil Judge recruitment exam in Jaipur on Sunday. Terming the incident a grave violation of the Indian Constitution and an act of religious discrimination against Sikh s, Giani Gargaj asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Rajasthan govt how the party , which claims to be working in the interests of Sikhs, is safeguarding Sikh interests in practice. "The entire world knows that Amritdhari Sikhs wear the kirpan as a mandatory article of faith, yet Sikhs are repeatedly targeted in India for their distinct identity and beliefs," he said. He directed the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to immediately form a high-level joint delegation to meet with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Rajasthan chief minister, and Registrar of the Rajasthan High Court to register a strong protest and ensure such discrimination is permanently resolved. If necessary, he added, the SGPC should consider filing a petition in the present case and collecting past cases in the Rajasthan High Court to seek a judicial remedy to protect the future of Amritdhari Sikh candidates. Jathedar Gargaj warned that if such challenges to Sikh identity and beliefs continue, the consequences will be more serious in the future. Therefore, resolving this issue urgently and permanently is essential, he said. Following the incident, an official of the Secretariat, Akal Takht, also shared details of the present incident with the Ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, who confirmed that the Commission already issued directions that Amritdhari Sikh candidates are allowed to appear in competitive exams with the kirpan. Lalpura assured he would raise the matter again with the Rajasthan High Court Registrar.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Raghbir does a U-turn, honours Gargaj with siropa
1 2 Amritsar: Akal Takht former jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who is the serving head granthi of Golden Temple and had condemned the procedure used to appoint Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the officiating jathedar just months ago, has now extended support to the man he once opposed. "The head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), Giani Raghbir Singh, extended a special honour to the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht and jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, by inviting him to his residence at Sri Darbar Sahib and presenting him with a siropa (robe of honour) as a mark of deep respect," said a spokesperson of the Akal Takht secretariat on Saturday. He assured Gargaj of support at every level, so that all panthic affairs may continue to be conducted in the spirit of unity and collective Sikh consciousness. To validate his "truce", Giani Raghbir said throughout Sikh history, there had always been a harmonious and respectful relationship between the granthi of Harmandar Sahib and Akal Takht jathedar, as he recalled the relationship between first granthi Baba Buddha and first jathedar, Bhai Gurdas. "This tradition of mutual respect, cooperation, and coordination must continue," he said. On March 7, the executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) removed Giani Raghbir as the jathedar of the Akal Takht and Giani Sultan Singh as the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was appointed the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib and given the additional charge of officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht. Sikh bodies such as Damdami Taksal and Nihang Singh organizstions has opposed the procedure adopted for the appointment. The sudden shift has sparked questions within panthic circles about reasons for the change of heart. A former jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, said there seemed to be politics behind what was happening. "Giani Raghbir Singh opposed the procedure of appointing Giani Gargaj, calling it a violation of maryada. Has that violation now been rectified? No, it has not," he said. "This U-turn is driven by leaders of a prominent Sikh political party, especially ahead of the Tarn Taran byelection and the upcoming 2027 assembly elections, to present a united front so that the panth does not perceive any differences within the clergy," he added. He claimed that certain facilities given to Giani Raghbir Singh by SGPC were withdrawn in recent past and these could have also pressured him to strike a "truce" with Giani Gargaj. He former jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, said the party controlling SGPC was behind what he a called a "so-called truce". He said this set a dangerous precedent for future.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Patna Sahib blinks, accepts Akal Takht's supremacy
The ongoing confrontation between Akal Takht and Takht Patna Sahib was resolved on Monday after the clergy of Bihar-based Sikh temporal seat withdrew its resolution issued to challenge the supremacy of the highest temporal seat and on request of the Patna Sahib management, Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht also withdrew its edicts. Presided over by Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahiban (Sikh clergy) was held at the supreme temporal seat in the Golden Temple complex to discuss two letters sent by the clergy and management of Takht Patna Sahib. (HT File) Presided over by Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahiban (Sikh clergy) was held at the supreme temporal seat in the Golden Temple complex to discuss two letters sent by the clergy and management of Takht Patna Sahib. In both letters, Akal Takht was recognised as the supreme and highest Sikh Takht. 'On Monday, a meeting of Panj Pyaras Singh Sahiban was held at Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib. While the birth birthplace of Guru Gobind Sahib Jee, Takht Patna Sahib, is the great Takht of the Sikhs, Akal Takht Sahib which was founded by Guru Hargobind Sahib, is the highest seat. The edicts issued from here as per the resolutions passed on May 21 and July 5 are withdrawn in larger interests of khalsa panth, panthic unity, sentiments of Sikh sangat', reads the resolutions passed by the clergy of Patna Sahib. Signed by president Jagjot Singh and general secretary Inderjit Singh, the letter addressed to Giani Gargaj states that they are dedicated to the Akal Takht which is the highest forum among all the five Sikh temporal seats. 'Some matters are going on between both the Takhts. We request you to review the decisions taken by Akal Takht regarding Takht Patna Sahib keeping in view of larger interests of khalsa panth, panthic unity and respect and dignity of the Takhts and give more time to the management to present its side in these matters', reads the letter. The July 5 edict of Takht Patna Sahib had declared the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for ignoring its summons. Considering the communique, the Sikh clergy at Akal Takht also revoked the resolutions passed on May 31 and July 5. Under the May 31 edict, the ban imposed on panthic services of Patna Sahib jathedar Giani Baldev Singh and additional head granthi Giani Gurdial Sing was lifted. 'Considering request from the management of Patna Sahib, the July 5 edict is also revoked in larger interests of khalsa panth and Sikh sentiments', said Giani Gargaj while reading out the fresh resolution. The SGPC had on Sunday called a session on August 5 over the issue. How row unfolded? On May 21 Giani Gargaj-led Sikh clergy, during a meeting at Akal Takht, took notice of Takht Patna Sahib management's failure to comply with its 2022 decree in which the management was asked to examine incumbent jathedar Baldev Singh's gurbani recitation skills and transfer of additional head granthi Gurdial Singh. Both individuals were barred from performing panthic duties. Hours later, Patna Sahib panj pyaras also comprising Giani Baldev Singh and Giani Gurdial Singh issued a parallel decree, turning down the Akal Takht's decree and on July 5, declared SAD chief 'tankhaiya' for failing to appear before it. The move of the Sikh clergy to acquit former Takht Patna Sahib jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar in the May 21 edict was also rejected by Takht Patna Sahib Panj Pyaras. On July 5, Giani Gargaj called an emergency meeting at Akal Takht and denounced the action of the Patna Sahib. The Akal Takht also took action against Gurdial Singh and two members of the management for allegedly conspiring to breach the jurisdiction of the highest Sikh temporal seat and challenging its supremacy. In the resolution passed during the meeting, which was pronounced as a 'decree' from the platform of the Takht, the Sikh clergy revisited the 2003 edict of the highest Sikh temporal, which was signed by jathedars of all five Sikh Takhts and termed the move of Takht Patna Sahib as a gross violation of the 2003 edict.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Akal Takht summons CKD panel over ‘non-compliance' of Sikh ‘maryada'
Jun 25, 2025 06:14 AM IST Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has summoned the executive committee of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) over various issues, including non-compliance of Sikh 'maryada' by its majority members, said spokesperson on Tuesday. Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has summoned the executive committee of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) over various issues, including non-compliance of Sikh 'maryada' by its majority members, said spokesperson on Tuesday. (HT File) Bagicha Singh, in-charge of Akal Takht secretariat, said the CKD executive committee has been asked to appear before the highest Sikh temporal seat in person in 15 days following a number of complaints received by the Akal Takht secretariat. The summon was issued to the CKD president Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, who is also AAP MLA from Amritsar south. As per sources, the complaints claim that majority of the members are not 'amritdhari'. The CKD is a historic Sikh organisation which is nearly 12 years old and runs more than 50 educational institutes in Punjab. Dr Nijjar said, 'Akal Takht is supreme for Sikhs. We are answerable to it.'
