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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
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.
