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Time of India
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
All Sikh takhts important, but Akal Takht supreme, says resolution at SGPC meeting
Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), in a special meeting called on Tuesday, said that all five takhts of Sikhism were important, but the panth (community) collectively recognised the supremacy of the Akal Takht. The SGPC concluded that panthic-level decisions were deliberated and finalised by the Panj Singh Sahiban (five Sikh high priests) at Akal Takht, while the other takhts were empowered to address local issues as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct). The meeting — during which the Sikh body also condemned regular paroles given to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raim — was held at Teja Singh Samuandari Hall at the SGPC complex. It was attended by Golden Temple head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, and nearly 100 SGPC members. "While each takht has its own historical and regional significance, the Akal Takht, established by Guru Hargobind Sahib, is the sovereign spiritual authority for Sikhs. It serves not only as the supreme religious institution but also provides guidance on panthic and political matters," said the resolution passed during the meeting. Through the resolution, SGPC appealed to the jathedars of all takhts to ensure panthic traditions were not overlooked in taking decisions. It added that panthic-level issues must be resolved at 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, said the resolution. Except in urgent situations, meetings of the Panj Singh Sahiban should be announced a few days in advance. If a jathedar from a takht is unable to attend, a Singh sahib from Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) may be included as per the resolution passed by Akal Takht on Nov 19, 2003, said the resolution. Dhami said in the meeting, SGPC also condemned several developments, including the alleged increasing influence of RSS in universities, Punjab govt's bills on sacrilege, and state's decision to organise events to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadar parallel to traditional Sikh institutions.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Time of India
Sikh family in Germany denied right to perform their mother's final rites at Gurdwara; approaches Akal Takht
AMRITSAR: A Gurdwara in Germany's Singen, has allegedly denied a local Sikh family the right to perform Bhog and Antim Ardas following their mother's death, sparking concern among the Sikh diaspora. The grieving family has approached the Akal Takht, seeking intervention from the Jathedar. However, the Gurdwara management claimed that the family was barred from entry following directions from local police. Balwinder Singh, a long-time resident of Singen, said that Daljit Singh and Paramjit Singh lost their mother recently and approached the Gurdwara to conduct the final rites. However, their request was refused by the Gurdwara committee. In a letter reportedly written by the "entire Sikh sangat" of Singen, it was stated, 'Regrettably, due to personal grudges, the current Gurdwara committee denied permission for this religious ceremony. This decision is not only unjust and against Sikh values but also a clear violation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada and Gurmat principles.' The sangat said they had urged the Gurdwara committee to reconsider the decision, reminding them that the Guru's house is open to all and highlighting the Sikh values of compassion and inclusion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo 'But the committee didn't listen or show any intention to resolve the issue with understanding or care,' Balwinder alleged. When contacted, Davinder Singh, President of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Singen, claimed that the management acted on advice from local police. He alleged that the individuals involved had previously clashed with members of the sangat, causing disturbances. As a result, the police reportedly advised the Gurdwara not to permit them entry. Meanwhile, Balwinder said the family eventually brought a granthi from another Gurdwara nearly 150 kilometres away to perform the rites. 'We have now requested the Jathedar of Akal Takht to investigate the incident, summon the Gurdwara management, and ensure justice is delivered,' he added.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Raghbir Singh withdraws plea from high court
Amritsar: Giani Raghbir Singh, former Akal Takht jathedar and head granthi of the Golden Temple, has withdrawn his petition from the Punjab and Haryana high court. The petition had sought legal protection against his potential removal from the position of head granthi. In a statement, Giani Raghbir Singh said that despite unexpected incidents during his service, he consistently upheld Panthic traditions and the 'Rehat Maryada' (Sikh code of religious conduct). He asserted he never intended to harm Panthic institutions. He expressed gratitude to the global Sikh community for their concern following the court filing. He stated his decision to withdraw the case was made out of respect for the community's feelings. Giani Raghbir Singh's initial decision to file the case drew censure from several Sikh leaders. Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, objected to the former head of a spiritual court approaching a "materialistic court". Sarna stated that this action "diminished not only the dignity of the position but also his own stature". Sarna urged Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami to address the matter promptly. He suggested that since Giani Raghbir Singh "chose to stand in the dock of a court, he should be relieved of religious duties at once and reassigned to administrative work according to service rules". Kulwant Singh Mannan, SGPC's chief secretary, also expressed deep disappointment. He highlighted that historically, no Akal Takht jathedar has sought recourse in a "materialistic court", noting that their stature is considered higher, even to the extent of rejecting summons. MSID:: 122159256 413 |
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SGPC committee criticises Patna Sahib resolution challenging Akal Takht authority
Amritsar: Members of the committee constituted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to resolve the ongoing issue concerning Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib have called a recent resolution passed by the Patna Sahib Management Committee — challenging a decision of Akal Takht — unprincipled and against Sikh tenets. A release issued by SGPC here on Wednesday informed that the senior vice-president of SGPC Raghujit Singh Virk, along with committee members Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala, said that as per Sikh Rehat Maryada, Akal Takht has the supreme authority among other Takhts and has full jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals and decisions on religious matters across Sikh institutions. The leaders pointed out that Article 79 of the Constitution and by-laws of Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib also affirms the authority of Akal Takht in religious affairs, and its decisions are considered final and binding in the Sikh tradition. They added that the resolution passed by the Patna Sahib Committee seems to be a direct challenge to the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is not a cordial approach. While acknowledging that the Patna Sahib committee may have acted in haste, the SGPC leaders reaffirmed that their delegation will still visit Patna Sahib and work toward a resolution through dialogue and mutual respect. MSID: 121468120 413 |
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.
