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News18
05-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
SGPC passes resolution to uphold honour of Takhts
Agency: Amritsar, Aug 5 (PTI) The SGPC on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Jathedars or head priests to uphold the traditional honour, authority, and spiritual significance of the 'takhts' – the highest Sikh institutions. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee held a special general meeting which was attended by head 'granthi' of Harmandar Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, and nearly 100 SGPC members here. According to a statement, they discussed the dignity and reverence of the takhts and unanimously passed a resolution urging the Jathedars to uphold the traditional honour, authority, and spiritual significance of these highest Sikh institutions. The resolution, presented by the SGPC president, emphasised that the Takhts are the supreme institutions of the Sikh 'Panth' (community) that provide religious, spiritual, moral, and Panthic leadership in accordance with Sikh history, Gurbani, and Gurmat (Guru's wisdom) traditions. While each 'Takht' has its own historical and regional significance, the resolution stressed that all five Takhts operate under one uniform 'gurmat maryada' (code of conduct) and the will of the Guru. The resolution reiterated that the Akal Takht serves not only as the supreme religious institution but also provides guidance on panthic and political matters. While all five Takhts are important in their own right, the 'Panth' collectively recognizes the supremacy of the Akal Takht. Panthic-level decisions are deliberated and finalized by the five 'Singh Sahiban' Akal Takht, while the other Takhts may address local issues as per the Sikh 'rehat maryada'. Accordingly, the SGPC general meeting appealed to the Jathedars to ensure that 'panthic' traditions are not overlooked while making any decisions. The panthic-level issues must be resolved at the Akal Takht, and no interference should occur in local matters of the other Takhts without consultation. If such matters arise, decisions should only be made after thorough discussion involving the respective Takht's Jathedar. In the absence of consensus, no hasty decisions should be taken. Except in urgent situations, meetings of the five 'Singh Sahiban' (high priests) should be announced a few days in advance. If a Jathedar from a Takht is unable to attend, a Singh Sahib from Harmandar Sahib may be included. Notably, a standoff arose between the Akal Takht in Amritsar and the Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar last month after the latter declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the jathedars (high priests) of the Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib guilty of religious misconduct. The standoff was resolved after the Takht Patna Sahib withdrew all previous edicts and the Akal Takht too withdrew edicts declaring three members of the Takht Patna Sahib guilty of religious misconduct. There are five temporal seats of Sikhism and Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar is one of them. The Akal Takht in Amritsar is the supreme temporal seat. Meanwhile, the SGPC meeting also condemned the Punjab government's bills on sacrilege, the state's decision to organize 'Gurmat' events on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in parallel to traditional Sikh institutions, and the repeated granting of parole to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Besides Dhami, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, members Rajinder Singh Mehta, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Jaswant Singh Purain, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, also addressed the gathering. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dhami said the session was convened on a highly important issue, and all speakers contributed sincerely and meaningfully. He thanked all the SGPC members and expressed hope for continued support in the future. Discussing the resolution, he stated that it is crucial in the current context to ensure that the honour and dignity of the Takhts are not compromised. It is vital to preserve the glorious traditions, principles, practices, collective pride, and significance of Sikh community institutions in their true essence. PTI JMS CHS ZMN (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC passes resolution to uphold honour of Takhts
Amritsar, The SGPC on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Jathedars or head priests to uphold the traditional honour, authority, and spiritual significance of the 'takhts' - the highest Sikh institutions. SGPC passes resolution to uphold honour of Takhts The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee held a special general meeting which was attended by head 'granthi' of Harmandar Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, and nearly 100 SGPC members here. According to a statement, they discussed the dignity and reverence of the takhts and unanimously passed a resolution urging the Jathedars to uphold the traditional honour, authority, and spiritual significance of these highest Sikh institutions. The resolution, presented by the SGPC president, emphasised that the Takhts are the supreme institutions of the Sikh 'Panth' that provide religious, spiritual, moral, and Panthic leadership in accordance with Sikh history, Gurbani, and Gurmat traditions. While each 'Takht' has its own historical and regional significance, the resolution stressed that all five Takhts operate under one uniform 'gurmat maryada' and the will of the Guru. The resolution reiterated that the Akal Takht serves not only as the supreme religious institution but also provides guidance on panthic and political matters. While all five Takhts are important in their own right, the 'Panth' collectively recognizes the supremacy of the Akal Takht. Panthic-level decisions are deliberated and finalized by the five 'Singh Sahiban' Akal Takht, while the other Takhts may address local issues as per the Sikh 'rehat maryada'. Accordingly, the SGPC general meeting appealed to the Jathedars to ensure that 'panthic' traditions are not overlooked while making any decisions. The panthic-level issues must be resolved at the Akal Takht, and no interference should occur in local matters of the other Takhts without consultation. If such matters arise, decisions should only be made after thorough discussion involving the respective Takht's Jathedar. In the absence of consensus, no hasty decisions should be taken. Except in urgent situations, meetings of the five 'Singh Sahiban' should be announced a few days in advance. If a Jathedar from a Takht is unable to attend, a Singh Sahib from Harmandar Sahib may be included. Notably, a standoff arose between the Akal Takht in Amritsar and the Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar last month after the latter declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the jathedars of the Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib guilty of religious misconduct. The standoff was resolved after the Takht Patna Sahib withdrew all previous edicts and the Akal Takht too withdrew edicts declaring three members of the Takht Patna Sahib guilty of religious misconduct. There are five temporal seats of Sikhism and Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar is one of them. The Akal Takht in Amritsar is the supreme temporal seat. Meanwhile, the SGPC meeting also condemned the Punjab government's bills on sacrilege, the state's decision to organize 'Gurmat' events on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in parallel to traditional Sikh institutions, and the repeated granting of parole to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Besides Dhami, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, members Rajinder Singh Mehta, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Jaswant Singh Purain, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, also addressed the gathering. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dhami said the session was convened on a highly important issue, and all speakers contributed sincerely and meaningfully. He thanked all the SGPC members and expressed hope for continued support in the future. Discussing the resolution, he stated that it is crucial in the current context to ensure that the honour and dignity of the Takhts are not compromised. It is vital to preserve the glorious traditions, principles, practices, collective pride, and significance of Sikh community institutions in their true essence. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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.
