Latest news with #Jathedar
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dhumma has his way: Jathedar skips annual message
In a break from a 40-year-old tradition, Akal Takht's acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj did not deliver the annual customary message to the community on Operation Blue Star anniversary, to avoid any controversy with Panthic bodies. Gargajj, however he preformed the 'ardas' (prayer according to Sikh rituals) to mark the event. Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma had earlier opposed Gargajj's appointment as the acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht saying it was in violation of 'maryada' and 'panthic traditions'. During the ardas, the Jathedar said this pious spiritual place (Golden Temple and Akal Takht) should never be a place of turmoil as everybody wants peace here. He also raised several issues, including the 'targeting of Sikhs in India and abroad,' the concept of a 'Sikh homeland,' and 'discrimination against Sikhs.' Gargajj prayed for strength, unity, harmony, and togetherness within the Khalsa Panth and sought blessings for the community to follow in the footsteps of the community's warriors and martyrs. Speaking to the media later, Gargajj expressed strong objection to 'the planned events being held in Batala city under the name 'crusade', in the context of religious conversions'. He said, 'Punjab is the land sanctified by the Sikh Gurus, and seeds of hatred must not be sown here. There is the need for the Sikh community to respond to this issue with compassion and to embrace those who have drifted toward other faiths.' Earlier, Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), honoured the family members of the Sikhs who were killed along with Jarnail singh Bhindranwale in the Golden Temple complex during the Army action in June 1984. According to tradition, it was the Akal Takht Jathedar who every year honours the families of those who were killed in the Army action. According to sources, it was decided in a series of meetings Jathedar Gargajj would neither deliver the annual message nor offer the siropa (robe of honour) to the families of those who died in 1984. When asked if he has scored a victory by not allowing Gargajj to issue message to the community, Dhuma said that he was not in favor of making such claims because that would be a form of arrogance, which is not acceptable in the Guru's house. He added that in the near future, all Panthic organisations will sit together and deliberate on the process of appointing Jathedars. He said that if the SGPC appoints the Jathedars of the Takhts with the consensus of all Sikh organisations, then there will be no dispute. Disputes arise only when the Panth is not taken into confidence, he said. It is not first time that Jathedar has faced the opposition. It was, however, the first time when SGPC was not seen standing with the Jathedar. Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh too had faced huge opposition from the community after he issued pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2015. SGPC made sure that he was allowed to issue his annual message on the occasions of Diwali and Operation Blue Star anniversaries. Gurbachan Singh resigned in 2018 and was replaced by the Giani Harpreet Singh, who gained the confidence of community. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann heaped praise on Gargajj said, saying that despite the restrictions, the Jathedar 'conveyed his message emphasising the need for a Sikh homeland and raising concerns over the ongoing massacre of Sikhs abroad'. Mann also condemned the 'forces' that barred Jathedar from delivering his annual message.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
In A First, No Message By Akhal Takht Leader On Op Blue Star Anniversary
Amritsar: For the first time during the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of Sikhs, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, did not deliver the customary message to the Sikh community. Instead, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj performed a prayer during which he stated that the message was being conveyed through the prayer itself. This marks a significant break from tradition. In previous years, the Akal Takht Jathedar would directly address the community with a message on the anniversary. However, this year, the event was conducted under heavy security in Amritsar, and tension was visible over whether Mr Gargaj should be allowed to speak. Several Sikh organisations had objected to Mr Gargaj delivering any message, arguing that his appointment as acting Jathedar was not conducted in accordance with established religious traditions and ceremonies. To avoid confrontation, Mr Gargaj chose not to deliver a speech and limited his role to offering prayers inside the Golden Temple complex on Friday, the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Tensions with Damdami Taksal Chief The controversy deepened due to open opposition from another Sikh organisation called Damdami Taksal and its chief Harnam Singh Dhumma, who has been vocal against Mr Gargaj's appointment since March. Mr Dhumma has claimed that the selection process lacked adherence to traditional religious procedures and did not enjoy widespread support among the Sikh community. According to sources, Mr Dhumma had placed a condition that Mr Gargaj must refrain from issuing any message to ensure peaceful observance of the anniversary. In light of this, Mr Gargaj avoided any direct address and limited his communication to what was expressed during the prayer. Prayer Mentions Sikh Concerns During the prayer, Mr Gargaj raised several issues, including alleged targeting of Sikhs in India and abroad, the ongoing concept and discourse around a Sikh homeland and perceived discrimination faced by the Sikh community. Speaking to NDTV, Mr Gargaj said, "I have conveyed my message in the ardas (prayer) which I performed during the anniversary." He further added that he wanted to avoid any confrontation within the Sikh community. During the prayer session inside the Golden Temple, emotions ran high. Some Sikh organisations reportedly raised slogans in support of Khalistan. In the wake of Operation Blue Star's anniversary, several Sikh organisations called for a bandh (shutdown) in Amritsar. Heavy security was deployed across the city, especially at sensitive locations and around the Golden Temple complex, to prevent any incidents. Police personnel in plain clothes were also stationed inside the Golden Temple to ensure peace and monitor any signs of confrontation or unrest.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Tension prevails over likelihood of protest if Akal Takht officiates Gargaj to address Sikh community ahead of Op Blue Star anniversary
CHANDIGARH: As the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star approaches on June 6 (Friday), the situation remains tense due to the possibility of the protest at the Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs). The officiating Jathedar (High Priest) Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj is likely to address the sikh community on the anniversary. The Sikh hardliner group Damdami Taksal's chief, Harnam Singh Dhumma, has demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should stop Gargaj from doing so, as he has not been accepted by the Sikh community as the Jathedar. Also, Nihang announced that they will not allow it to happen. Thus, SGPC is worried as it may be challenging to maintain peace during the commemoration. Meanwhile, SGPC is trying to strike a compromise to defuse the issue. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami had recently visited the headquarters of Taksal at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash at Chowk Mehta village. A meeting that lasted for over one and a half hours to strike a compromise, assured that the issue would be resolved before the event. Hoping for an amicable solution, Dhami said that a meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Meanwhile, Takshal's chief Dhumma does not want Gargaj to deliver the customary speech on June 6, as various Sikh bodies have not approved his appointment. "SGPC has never indulged in confrontation with Damdami Taksal. I hope an amicable solution will be worked out before the anniversary,'' he said. Dhumma, who is now close to the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) following his support to the saffron party's Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra last November, has been reiterating that if Gargaj addresses the gathering, it will vitiate the atmosphere. He added that they do not want any clash during the event and are fully ready to cooperate with the SGPC. However, he said that they have been appealing that SGPC should appoint a Jathedar who is approved by the community and highlighted that the Gargaj is not approved by everyone. "If a conflicting situation arises on that occasion, the responsibility will lie with the president of the SGPC,' he asserted.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dhami's meeting with Dhumma fails to yield a breakthrough
A day after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) accused Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma of 'acting under the influence of government agencies', Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday met Dhumma in a bid to ease tensions. Dhumma drew SAD flak after he declared that Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargarj would 'not be allowed to deliver any message' to the Sikh community on the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. 'Gargarj is not recognised as a Panth-approved Jathedar and has already been declared 'tankhaiya' (under religious penalty) by the Panj Pyare by the Takht Patna Sahib,' Dhumma had said. Questioning Dhumma's motives, SAD leader Parambans Singh Romana said, 'Is this being done at someone's behest? On one hand, we had a Taksal head who sacrificed his life for the dignity of the Akal Takht, while on the other, we have one acting as an agent trying to derail events meant to pay tributes to martyrs.' Dhami's meeting with Dhumma failed to yield a breakthrough as the latter remained adamant on his position and warned of 'serious consequences' if his concerns were not addressed. Speaking after the meeting, Dhumma said, 'We support peace during the June 6 events, but someone who lacks legitimacy cannot be allowed to issue messages on behalf of the Takht. If such actions continue, tensions will escalate. The SGPC has assured us that they will seek a resolution.' Romana had also said, 'Every year, the Sikh community organises programmes to pay homage to the martyrs. Sadly, Harnam Singh Dhumma is trying to sabotage these commemorations.'
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Invoking history, Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, calls for peace and dialogue
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, on Sunday welcomed the ceasefire decision between India and Pakistan and lauded all the national and international leaders who contributed to the de-escalation of the situation. The Sikh head's message was read out at an interfaith meeting convened by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium in Raj Bhavan, Chandigarh. 'From the beginning, I have believed that war should not break out between the two nations. This region does not need war, but peace and mutual harmony. Punjab must not become a zone of conflict. It is home to sacred Sikh heritage and important religious places,' stated the Jathedar, who mentioned that he had performed 'Ardas' before Guru Sahib at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday for restoring peace in the region. The message of the Sikh head was read out by Jaskaran Singh, media advisor to the secretariat of Akal Takht Sahib. Jathedar Gargaj called upon the faithful and the nation to learn from the 70 years of Sikh rule rather than repeat the mistakes of the past. 'Punjabis, especially Sikhs and Hindus, have suffered since 1947. Many gurdwaras and temples remained in Pakistan after Partition. Sikhs deeply desire to visit these places,' he said, while recalling the conquest of Delhi by Baba Baghel Singh in 1783 and the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh empire in Punjab, when people of different faiths coexisted harmoniously. 'During the 70-year Sikh rule, communal harmony existed in the region. If both governments want peace, then Sikhs should be given a meaningful role, as envisioned during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's time. The forgotten Sikh history must also be revived through collective efforts,' he said. He pointed out that the people in Punjab have consistently demanded the opening of borders for trade with Pakistan, which would, in turn, promote development and help local farmers. He said, 'War claims innocent lives and is harmful to humanity. Both countries should resolve issues through dialogue. Strong communal ties are necessary for peace and stability.' He recalled the sacrifices made by the Sikhs during the country's Independence struggle. 'Sikhs have always stood against oppression. Today, Sikh soldiers continue to defend the borders, and Punjab has the highest number of war widows in India,' he stated. Earlier, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj had condemned the shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch in which Sikh community members were killed and the wall of a gurdwara was damaged last week. A large number of houses were damaged in the cross-border shelling from the Pakistan side in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
