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NDTV
2 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
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Operation Blue Star Anniversary: For the first time, Akal Takht Jathedar refrains from giving annual message
CHANDIGARH: Breaking a 41-year-old tradition of the annual address on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating Jathedar (High priest) of the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) did not deliver the customary message to the Sikh community. Instead, he only performed the ardas (prayer), and the event remained peaceful. Notably, he also refrained from felicitating the families of those who died during the operation. Meanwhile slogans of 'Khalistan Zindabad' were raised by the supporters of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and other sikh organisations in the golden temple complex. Gargaj refrained from delivering the customary address to the Sikh community from the façade of the Akal Takht and did not felicitate the families of those killed during the 1984 Army operation. The move was seen as an effort to ensure the peaceful observance of the anniversary, especially after Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma recently objected to such practices. Tensions between Gargaj and several hardline Sikh groups had already been running high in the lead-up to the event.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Gargaj skips annual message on Op Blue Star anniversary amid tensions with Damdami Taksal head Dhuma
In a first, the acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, did not deliver the annual message to the Sikh community on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star Friday, but performed an ardas or prayer. This came amid tensions between Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma. Gargaj refrained from delivering the message to the community as a condition reportedly put forward by Harnam Singh Dhuma for the peaceful observance of the anniversary. However, during the ardas, he referred to some community issues typically addressed in the jathedar's annual speech. During the prayer, the Akal Takht jathedar raised several issues, including the 'targeting of Sikhs in India and abroad,' the concept of a 'Sikh homeland,' and 'discrimination against Sikhs.' Damdami Taksal head Dhuma has opposed Gargaj since his appointment in March this year, claiming that his selection did not follow traditional procedure. Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami appeared to be accommodating towards Dhuma's demand. According to sources, it was decided in a series of meetings that the Akal Takht jathedar would neither deliver the annual message nor offer the siropa (robe of honour) to the families of those referred to as 'martyrs.' Instead, SGPC chief Dhami presented the robe of honour.
Time of India
3 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.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Akal Takht, SGPC, hardliners condemn Pahalgam terror attack, term it a cowardly act
The Akal Takht, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sikh hardliners on Wednesday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. Expressing grief over the incident and extending condolences to the families of those killed, Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the attack reminded him of the March 2000 massacre in Chittisinghpura, Kashmir, in which 35 Sikhs were killed. He called for justice to affected families in both incidents. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said this inhuman and brutal act has deeply hurt the values of society. He said spiritual and humanitarian teachings do not promote such violence, but rather guide everyone towards unity, brotherhood, and harmony. Chief Khalsa Diwan president and AAP MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar termed the attack a cowardly and ruthless act. Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa also stated that indiscriminate violence against civilians was unacceptable and must never be justified, regardless of the political context or timing. 'The murder of innocent people is a tragedy that transcends politics. This is not how political grievances and grudges are addressed,' said Dal Khalsa leader Paramjit Singh Mand.
