Latest news with #Gurbani
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
32 years on, Akal Takht former jathedar's son seeks justice for his ‘custodial killing'
Chandigarh: Over three decades after the alleged custodial killing of former acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Gurdev Singh Kaunke, his son has approached the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking the registration of a criminal case against those responsible. Taking cognisance of the petition, Justice Sanjay Vashisth has issued a notice to the Punjab Police, directing them to file a response by July 28. The plea, filed by 49-year-old Hari Singh Sekhon—son of the late Jathedar—alleged that Kaunke was kept in illegal detention, tortured, and ultimately killed in police custody by then Jagraon station house officer inspector Gurmeet Singh. According to the petition, Kaunke was taken into custody on Dec 25, 1992, and remained confined until his alleged death on Jan 2, 1993. At the time of his disappearance, Kaunke, then 43, was known for preaching Gurbani and held in high regard within the Sikh community. The petition recounts that he was first picked up by inspector Gurmeet Singh on Dec 20, 1992, but was released following intervention by community elders. He was detained again five days later, this time in the presence of nearly 200 villagers. Despite his detention, no formal arrest was made, nor was he presented before a magistrate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He was allegedly held at the Jagraon police station and the CIA staff building, where he was severely tortured. Kaunke's wife, Gurmail Kaur, was reportedly allowed to visit him with food and clothes until Dec 28, after which she was denied entry. Sekhon, a minor at the time, claimed he accompanied his mother during these visits and saw his father with visible signs of torture. Another witness, Jagjit Singh, corroborated the account, stating he too saw Kaunke with injuries while in custody. In 1993, Gurmail Kaur filed a habeas corpus petition in the high court. Hari Chand was appointed as a warrant officer to investigate, but during his visit to the Jagraon police station, there was no trace of Kaunke. According to the petition, on Jan 2, 1993, inspector Gurmeet Singh sent a message to Sidwan Bet police station reporting Kaunke's "escape" from custody. An FIR was subsequently registered at Sidwan Bet. "During the pendency of the habeas corpus petition, inspector Gurmeet Singh submitted an affidavit on Jan 14, 1993, denying Kaunke had ever been taken into custody or arrested," the petitioner submitted to the court. "There was no mention of any arrest related to FIR No. 181, dated Dec 8, 1992, nor of any alleged escape following an encounter," the petition added. The petition also alleged that in a bid to intimidate the family, police later implicated Sekhon in a 1995 attempt-to-murder case, under FIR No. 133. He was later discharged by the court. It has also been informed that a govt-ordered inquiry was conducted by then ADGP (security), B P Tiwari. His report, based on numerous witness statements, concluded that Kaunke had been abducted by the SHO, kept in illegal custody, tortured, and never seen alive after Dec 28, 1992. Tiwari rejected the escape narrative and recommended registering a criminal case against the officers involved. However, the report was not approved by then director general of police Sarabdeep Singh.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC panel to visit Takht Patna Sahib to settle dispute
A Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) delegation will visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib and hold a discussion with the management there to settle the dispute, a Sikh body spokesperson said on Saturday. A row erupted after Takht Patna Sahib when Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, pointed to defiance of its 2022 decree which had ordered an assessment of Patna Sahib jathedar Baldev Singh's Gurbani recitation skills and the transfer of granthi Gurdial Singh. On May 21, the Panj Pyaras of Takht Patna Sahib declared acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions that allegedly hurt the sanctity and dignity of the Takht Patna Sahib. As the confrontation escalated, Panj Pyaras of three Punjab-based temporal seats— Akal Takht, Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib—passed resolutions against the move. 'SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami constituted a delegation, which includes SGPC's senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala will visit Patna. SGPC assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi has been appointed as the coordinator of this delegation, the spokesperson added. Providing further details, Satbir Singh, officer on special duty (OSD) to SGPC's chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, said that the delegation would travel to Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib soon to hold discussions with its management committee and the Panj Pyaras.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sikh institutions at odds as Akal Takht, Patna Sahib exchange jabs, Sukhbir Badal in the mix
IN A surprise move at a special meeting on Wednesday, the five top priests of the Takht Sri Patna Sahib – one of the five Takhts or seats of Sikh temporal power in the country – declared two of its jathedars or head priests 'tankhaiya', or guilty of religious misconduct. The two included Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the recently appointed acting jathedar of the Akal Takht in Amritsar, the highest Sikh temporal seat, and Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula, who heads the Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda. 'Giani Gargaj and Tek Singh challenged the constitution (of the Takht Patna Sahib), interfered with the powers of the local management, and issued an edict against the decisions of Takht Patna Sahib,' said a statement from the Takht Patna Sahib. Just hours earlier, the Jathedars of the Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, the three Punjab-based takhts, had lifted the ban on the excommunicated ex-Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar and imposed bans on a sitting jathedar of the Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Baldev Singh, and another Patna Sahib priest, Gurdial Singh. When this met with opposition by the Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the Akal Takht said that Section 79 of Patna Sahib's Constitution and Bylaws gave it the power to decide on religious matters and that its decision was final. Gohar had been removed as the Patna Sahib Jathedar in August 2022 by the Akal Takht after allegations of embezzlement. However, an internal investigation cleared Gohar, resulting in the lifting of the ban against him by the Akal Takht. As regards Baldev Singh, the Akal Takht said he lacked 'the required skills' to carry out his duties as a priest, including reciting Gurbani, or sacred hymns and texts. The Akal Takht had asked Baldev Singh to 'prove' his skills through video recordings, but the jathedar refused. In a statement, the Akal Takht said this was among several of its directives ignored by the Patna Sahib leadership in recent years. In its counter-order, the Takht Sri Patna Sahib also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for allegedly interfering in its functioning. In the past, it has accused the BJP of similar 'interference'. 'Information has come to us that Sukhbir Singh Badal played a role in this interference. He has been asked to present his side,' the statement said, adding that it directed Badal to appear before it within 10 days. The developments come against the backdrop of a series of embezzlement accusations between the current and former Patna Sahib jathedars, Baldev Singh and Gohar, respectively – and have now sparked a conflict between the Akal Takht and the Patna Sahib over their overlapping powers. This has come at an inopportune time for Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh, who has been trying to stamp his authority as the head of the highest Sikh seat of power, in the face of factionalism within Sikh institutions and allegations of political influence being behind his appointment. Kuldeep Singh was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body for gurdwara management in Punjab, though the Damdami Taksal, an influential socio-religious organisation formerly aligned with the SAD, had opposed it. This isn't the first clash between the Akal Takht and Patna Sahib. In 2008, the then Patna Sahib jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, had claimed the Patna Sahib's supremacy over the Akal Takht and excommunicated then Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. Iqbal Singh was later found guilty of religious misconduct. So far, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has not taken a side in the current dispute, though he expressed concern over the wrong message being sent to the Sikh community in the clash between the Akal Takht and Patna Sahib. The Patna shrine is, incidentally, partly administered by a department of the Bihar government. Dhami said matters concerning Panthic institutions and issues must be dealt with seriousness and maturity, and that mutual dialogue is the best path forward. 'The entire Sikh world looks up to these institutions and Takhts for inspiration, but the current atmosphere of internal conflict is creating confusion within the community,' he said, adding that as a leader and member of the Sikh community, he will make efforts – both formal and personal – for a prompt resolution. As far as Badal goes, the summons issued by the Patna Sahib is unlikely to damage him politically, even if the SAD chief is vulnerable politically and has been trying to dispel allegations of 'interference' in Sikh institutions for political gain. Last year, owing to alleged religious misconduct during the SAD's tenure in power in Punjab from 2007 and 2017, Badal had been declared tankhaiya and sentenced to religious punishment by the Akal Takht, then led by jathedar Harpeet Singh. In fact, Gohar had come to Badal's defence during this episode and criticised Harpreet Singh's decision.
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
Row after Takht Patna Sahib Panj Pyaras declare Akal Takht jathedar ‘tankhaiya'
Amritsar Amritsar: A row has erupted after the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of Takht Patna Sahib defied a decree issued by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, and declared its acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions that allegedly hurt the sanctity and dignity of the Takht Patna Sahib. The confrontation escalated on Wednesday when Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht took serious note of the Takht Patna Sahib management's non-compliance with a 2022 directive which ordered an assessment of Patna Sahib jathedar Baldev Singh's Gurbani recitation skills and the transfer of granthi Gurdial Singh. Following continued disregard, both were barred from performing any 'Panthic' (religious) duties, and the management was summoned to appear before the Akal Takht immediately. In a counteraction just hours later, the Panj Pyare of Takht Patna Sahib, led by jathedar Baldev Singh, rejected the Akal Takht's decree and issued their own. They accused the Amritsar-based clergy of overreach and declared that decisions made by other Takhts would neither apply to nor be recognised at Takht Patna Sahib. Experts, however, say as the Akal Takht is the supreme authority, and no one can challenge it. Sukhbir told to appear before Takht Patna Sahib The Panj Pyare also claimed that the controversy was politically motivated, accusing Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal of engineering the interference. Sukhbir has been summoned to appear before Takht Patna Sahib within 10 days or face action 'as per Panthic traditions'. Further, the Patna Sahib decree labelled Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Tek Singh Dhanaula as 'self-styled jathedars', and rejected the Akal Takht's recent exoneration of former Patna Sahib jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar. According to Patna Sahib authorities, their earlier decision declaring Gauhar 'tankhaiya' and excommunicating him still stands. This open defiance by Takht Patna Sahib has triggered a crisis in the Sikh religious sphere, potentially threatening the long-standing centralised authority of the Akal Takht over Sikh matters globally. Religious scholars and Panthic leaders have expressed concern over the implications of such disunity within the Sikh temporal institutions. Dr Amarjit Singh, professor, Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), said: 'Such instance was never witnessed in the recent history that Takht Patna Sahib Panj Pyare challenged Akal Takht decree. This has hurt Sikh traditions and the community is upset over this.' Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member and its former general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal said: 'The Akal Takht took action against those at the helm of Takht Patna Sahib as per the probe report. The Akal Takht is supreme authority. Other Takhts come under it. So, its order cannot be challenged as per the Sikh traditions.'
