Latest news with #Panthic
Time of India
6 hours 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.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Security heightened at Golden Temple ahead of Operation Bluestar anniversary
Amritsar: Both the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the police have made adequate security arrangements in and around the Golden Temple to prevent any untoward incidents in view of the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar—an Army operation carried out to flush out militants from the Golden Temple complex. Sources said that as in previous years, intelligence inputs are being gathered to prevent any clandestine activities. A good number of police personnel in plainclothes will be deployed inside the Golden Temple complex. Police officials have also been holding meetings with Sikh groups and organisations that issued statements opposing Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering a message to the community from the platform of Akal Takht during an event marking the anniversary on June 6. Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, manager, Golden Temple, said that all necessary and essential security arrangements have been put in place throughout the complex. He also appealed to the sangat (community) to cooperate with the SGPC in maintaining a peaceful and respectful environment. Amritsar police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said that for the past two days, security and law and order arrangements have been actively enforced. In the meantime, the SGPC began an akhand path (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) at Akal Takht to mark the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The bhog of akhand path will be performed on June 6. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and others were present at the beginning of the akhand path on Wednesday. Dhami said that the brutal actions carried out by the then govt in June 1984 inflicted deep wounds upon the Sikh community — wounds that can never be forgotten. BOX Nihangs to oppose Gargaj address The heads of various Nihang Singh organisations held a meeting and opined that Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was not acceptable to the Panth, so it will not be appropriate for him to deliver the message to the community on June 6 on "Ghallughara Diwas" (Operation Bulestar anniversary). They said that for the restoration of proper "maryada" (Sikh code of religious conduct), all sects, Damdami Taksal, saintly figures, and Panthic organisations are united on their decision. Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh, chief of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal, said that Gargaj was not appointed as jathedar according to Panthic maryada, so he has no authority to directly intervene in Panthic matters. Stating that every effort should be made to avoid any confrontation on June 6, Baba Balbir said SGPC should introspect on its decisions and must not repeatedly make decisions that go against Sikh sentiments. Nothing will happen: Gargaj Amritsar: "Nothing will happen." This was how Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, responded when asked about the strong objections raised by Sikh organisations, including Damdami Taksal, to his expected address to the community on June 6. "I am 200% sure that this year's Ghallughara programme will be even more peaceful than previous years," he said, adding, "Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, the chief of Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta, and leaders of other Sikh organisations are all Gurubhai (brothers in faith). The Taksal's former head, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, attained martyrdom here. It is unthinkable that they would create any disturbance." He emphasised that while differences may exist, "such divisions disappear when Sikhs come together in the Gurughar (house of the Guru)". MSID:: 121624134 413 |
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Uphold authority of Akal Takht, avoid confrontation on June 6: Balwant Singh Rajoana's message from jail
Patiala: Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's assassination case, issued a strong message to the , reaffirming that Akal Takht is the supreme authority of the Khalsa Panth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rajoana's message was conveyed following a meeting at Patiala Central Jail with Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Tuesday. Jathedar Gargaj, who visited the jail and held discussions with Rajoana on crucial Panthic and Gurmat matters, said the jailed Sikh leader urged the community to preserve the dignity and traditions of Akal Takht during the 41st anniversary of 1984 "Ghallughara" (referred to as ), on June 6, "Sikh Panth is bigger than me. If the Panth asks me to refrain from any action on June 6, I will abide. I am a servant of the Panth and hold no hatred towards anyone, including Harnam Singh Khalsa," Rajoana said in his message. Rajoana called upon the Sikh community to avoid any confrontation on June 6. He reminded that jathedars have always been appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and such appointments should be respected by all. Jathedar Gargaj described Rajoana as a "precious asset" of the Sikh Panth, adding that he had offered personal prayers for Rajoana's "chardi kala" (high spirits) and presented him with "deg" (blessed food) from Gurdwara Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib. Jathedar Gargaj also criticised attempts to prevent him from addressing the community on "Ghallughara Diwas". Recently, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma had urged the SGPC to stop jathedar Gargaj from delivering the June 6 message from the Akal Takht rostrum. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The Panth must rise above divisions. June 6 must be observed with peace, prayer, and unity, honouring martyrs like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amrik Singh, and Shabeg Singh, who gave their lives to defend Sikh values," the jathedar said. At the same time, jathedar Gargaj condemned the govt's "discriminatory approach" regarding Rajoana's prolonged incarceration. He said that in 2019, during Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary, the central govt announced the release of several Sikh prisoners, including Rajoana — a promise that remains unfulfilled. He also warned against disruptive forces attempting to exploit sacred occasions, citing a recent incident of sacrilege involving "Gutka Sahib" near Golden Temple. He urged the govt to take strict and exemplary action against those responsible. MSID:: 121600441 413 | MSID:: 121600441 413 |
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal launches movement for Panth-approved jathedar appointments
Amritsar: Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal, chairman, Dharam Parchar Committee of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC), on Wednesday announced the launch of a movement to raise awareness among the Sikh community to adopt a "Panth Parvanit" (Panth-approved) system for the appointment of jathedars of the Takhts to prevent embarrassing incidents, such as those witnessed in recent times. Daduwal was here along with the HSGPC newly elected president Jagdish Singh Jhinda and its members to offer thanksgiving prayers at the Golden Temple. It is already a matter of concern that the jathedars of Takht Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib and Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib are rarely invited to meetings of the Sikh high priests convened in Punjab Takhts to deliberate on Panthic issues, according to Daduwal. The recent summoning of the jathedar of Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib and Panj Pyare (five beloved ones), followed by the retaliatory declaration of the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj — who also serves as the jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib — and Baba Tek Singh, jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, as "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct), is deeply unfortunate and troubling, he added. "Such actions not only send a negative message but also undermine the dignity and unity of the Sikh high clergy, causing embarrassment for the Panth as a whole," observed Daduwal. Daduwal issued an appeal advocating for the appointment of jathedars through a process of collective and inclusive consultation. He emphasised the need for involving all significant Sikh religious bodies, including Sikh intellectuals, Nihang organisations, and others dedicated to the Sikh faith. He called for the establishment of a system wherein jathedars are appointed through unanimous consensus, free from the influence of any single group or political party. He said the HSGPC already initiated this movement and will continue to advance it both across India and internationally by engaging with Sikh intellectuals and religious bodies worldwide. At the same time, Daduwal expressed the view that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should not remain under the control of any single political party. "Our opponents in the Shiromani Akali Dal tried their best, but the Sikhs of Haryana succeeded in removing them from the HSGPC. Similarly, there is a growing sentiment among Sikhs in Punjab who do not want to see the SGPC dominated by one political party," he added. MSID:: 121464567 413 |
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Unexpected meet of Akal Takht leaders sparks talk of SAD alliances
Amritsar: An unanticipated joint appearance of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, and Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, the parallel officiating jathedar of Akal Takht appointed during the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa, has caught Panthic circles off guard. Photographs of the meeting, uploaded on Giani Gargaj's Facebook page and circulated among mediapersons by the Akal Takht secretariat, has fuelled speculation among Sikh religious and political circles. According to sources, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is believed to be seeking to strengthen its political position by forging ties with hardline Sikh factions. Political analysts view the meeting as an effort to prevent these hardline groups from aligning with Waris Punjab De, a move that could further marginalise SAD already grappling with declining influence in the Panthic circles. The Facebook post, accompanying the photographs, reads, "Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, associated with a struggling (revolutionary) family, whose three brothers were martyred during the struggle, has been unwell for some time. A visit was made to his home to check on his health and meet with him." Stating that Mand's three brothers were allegedly killed in police encounters during the period of 'struggle' (militancy) in Punjab, Jarnail Singh Sakhira, the chief organiser of Sarbat Khalsa and a confidant of Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, said that Mand was unaware of Giani Gargaj's visit, which was sudden and unexpected. According to Sakhira, Giani Gargaj came with the intention of discussing "certain matters", but Mand insisted that such discussions could only take place in a private one-on-one meeting. Sakhira further said that team Sarbat Khalsa previously received informal 'feelers' from Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act, seeking their support. However, the team chose to remain neutral. "We interpret Giani Gargaj's visit as an attempt to secure Mand's support, which could potentially strengthen the SAD's position," Sakhira said, adding that another meeting between the two religious leaders could be held in the future.
