Jaibans Singh
Sri Akal Takht Sahib
The crisis being faced by the Sikh religious bodies, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and Jathedars (Head Priests) of the five Takhts is showing no signs of abating. Sadly, Sri Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, has been embroiled in the burgeoning controversies.
The situation is causing extreme pain to Sikhs worldwide who look upon these institutions, especially Sri Akal Takht sacrosanct as an institution that guides them, not only in their religious beliefs, but also in leading their lives in accordance with Sikh Rehat Maryada (tradition). More unfortunate is the fact that the crisis has been engineered by certain elements who have seized control of the institutions and are manipulating them for personal, political and economic gains.
The Trigger
The trigger of the crisis was a decision by the Akal Takht to take the leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to task for misdemeanours committed when the party was in power in Punjab. The SAD is looked upon as a Panthic (community) party of the Sikhs and is expected to conduct its political role in accordance with Sikh principles and traditions. The Akal Takht felt that these traditions had been violated by the party when it was in power.
The complaint with the Akal Takht was registered by some leaders from within the SAD itself. It was directed against their own party president and former deputy chief minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, and some of his colleagues who had held ministerial posts during the SAD rule in Punjab. The main point was the sacrilege incidents of 2015 and grant of pardon for the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
On 30 August 2024, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, along with four other high priests, declared Sukhbir Badal a ‘Tankhaiya’ (someone guilty of religious misconduct). Badal presented himself to the Akal Takht on 4 December 2024, and was given punishment in accordance with the Maryada. He served as a guard at the Golden temple in Amritsar and other Takhts with a plaque of atonement hanging around his neck. He also cleaned the premises of various Takhts. Similar punishment was meted out to his other colleagues.
The Akal Takht also set up a seven-member committee to revamp the SAD in six months. The move indicates the seriousness with which the institution is viewing the organisation weakness of the SAD and the need for immediate change.
The declaration of Sukhbir Badal and other members of SAD as Tankha, their summoning to the Akal Takht and being punished is not the first instance of this nature. Even Maharaja Ranjit Singh was also summoned and given punishment by the then Jathedar of Akal Takht. It is a centuries old tradition.
There have been multiple instances over the past fifty years when the Akal Takht has dealt with factionalism in the SAD and intervened to resolve political matters. There have been instances where its decisions have changed the course of the state’s history.
The Revenge
It is widely known that the Badal family have maintained a vice-like grip on the SGPC and through the SGPC on the Akal Takht, for many decades. Sukhbir Badal accepted the punishment but later he launched his revenge by leveraging his control over the institutions.
On 10 December 2024, the executive committee of the SGPC, apparently at the behest of Sukhbir Badal, dismissed the services of Giani Harpreet Singh as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwadi Sabo on grounds of misdemeanour in a domestic dispute.
On 13 February 2025, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, took to social media to strongly condemn the dismissal of Giani Harpreet Singh. In a Facebook post he termed the decision as unfortunate and highly condemnable.
The statement of Giani Raghbir Singh propelled the president of SGPC, Harjinder Singh Dhami, to resign from his post on 17 February. He confirmed that his resignation was in protest against the arbitrary dismissal of Giani Harpreet Singh. “I being ‘Pardhan’ (President of SGPC) take responsibility and resign from the post on moral grounds with immediate effect,” he stated before leaving his post.
On 8 March, the executive committee of the SGPC announced the dismissal of Giani Raghbir Singh from the post of Jathedar, Sri Akal Takht and also of Giani Sultan Singh from the post of Jathedar, Sri Keshgarh Sahib.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj has been appointed as the new Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib and given additional charge of Jathedar Sri Akal Takht until a permanent appointment is made.
The SGPC justified its decision on grounds of the inability of Giani Raghbir Singh in safeguarding Sikh interests. “There are increasing divisions within Sikh institutions and rising threats to Sikh identity worldwide. The former Jathedar failed to take a firm stance on critical Panthic matters,” said Raghujit Singh Virk, senior vice president of SGPC.
The SGPC
The SGPC was formed on 1 November 1920, by an Act passed by the British Government in India. It was mandated the responsibility of management of Sikh Gurdwara’s in the unified Punjab of those times. Post-independence its sphere of influence included Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, the Union Territory of Chandigarh and many other areas. With time its sphere has curtailed with many entities making independent management bodies. The latest to break away is Haryana where a separate committee has been established.
The responsibilities of the SGPC include managing the finances, security, maintenance, property, (including historical artefacts and memorabilia) and religious aspects of the Sikh community. As such, the organisation holds a lot of significance in the overall religious affairs of the Sikhs.
The last elections of the General House of SGPC were held in 2011 when the SAD (Badal) got an absolute majority with a total of 182 members including elected and nominated. The 2011 election has been contested in court for non-inclusion of Sehajdhari Sikhs in the electoral rolls.
The sub-judice status of the organisation paved the way for the SAD (Badal) and particularly the Badal family to gain full control over the SGPC. The process of the annual election of office bearers is supposed to be carried out with a unanimous verdict or voting through secret ballot. Sadly, from 2012 onwards, the SGPC members, who owe their allegiance to the Badal family, have been unanimously authorising the party President, Sukhbir Badal, to choose the entire team.
The end result is that SAD (Badal) and particularly its President Sukhbir Badal are frequently reported to be blatantly using the organisation for personal and party gains.
Many senior leaders of the SAD (Badal) understood that they were getting alienated within the community. They attempted to set things right by insisting upon a more representative character of the SGPC as well as SAD (Badal). When this did not happen, many of the leaders left the SAD (Badal) and created alternative political organisations.
The Akal Takht is under de-facto control of the SGPC, which for many decades now has been managed by SAD (Badal). The end result is that mundane electoral politics have gained precedence over religious matters and put the Sikh Church under severe stress. It is now unable to fulfil its mandate especially in the propagation of Sikh tenets. This situation has led to a lot of heartburn in the Sikh community that is the biggest casualty due to subjugation of its greatest religious institution to a single family.
The Akal Takht
In Sikh Rehat Maryada (Religious Tradition) a Takht is a seat of temporal authority. There are five Takhts located in five prominent Gurdwaras of which three are located in Punjab.
The highest seat is the Akal Takht that was established by the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind in 1609. It is located opposite the Gurdwara Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. While Sri Harmandir Sahib, represents Sikh spiritual guidance, the Akal Takht symbolizes temporal authority. The Jathedar of the Akal Takht is de-facto head of the Sikhs worldwide and the spokesman of Sikh affairs.
The position of Jathedar is not established by any constitutional document. It exists only by long-established convention. Tradition dictates that the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht be elected through a meeting of the Sarbat Khalsa, a biannual deliberative assembly of the Sikhs held at Amritsar. The selection can also be made by an institution authorised by the Sarbat Khalsa. This tradition was in place till 1921.
Probably somewhere down the line, the SGPC prevailed with the premise that it is a representative of the Sarbat Khalsa and attained the necessary authorisation to appoint Takht Jathedars. For quite some time now, Jathedars have been appointed by a committee of the SGPC.
In 1999, a resolution passed by the SGPC Dharam Parchar Committee called for independent functioning of the Akal Takht and other Sikh temporal seats. The resolution stated, “……the jurisdiction of Takhts is worldwide, whereas the SGPC’s authority, as per the Act, is limited. Therefore, Guru Khalsa Panth should recognise Takht Sahib as free from the 1925 Act.” It further emphasised that the Akal Takht Jathedar is neither accountable nor subject to suspension by any entity other than the Sarbat Khalsa.
The then SGPC chief secretary, Kulwant Singh Manan, was quick to clarify that the resolution was rejected by the SGPC’s General House on March 30, 1999 since it exceeded the jurisdiction of the Dharam Parchar Committee. Once again the Badals, as controlling elements of the SGPC and Akal Takht, were successful in subduing voices of righteousness and justice.
The breach of tradition has also been contested by many Sikh bodies, especially so since the Badal family has started exerting unacceptable influence over the SGPC. In 2015 the SAD (Amritsar) and other Sikh institutions created an alternative by appointing Jagtar Singh Hawara as the Jathedar of Akal Takht.
Jagtar Singh Hawara is unable to perform the duties since he is imprisoned for involvement in the assassination of former Punjab Chief minister Beant Singh. The matter continues to remain a bone of contention between SAD (Badal) and its stooge SGPC and many Sikh institutions/political organisations.
In the wake of the latest imbroglio, Giani Raghbir Singh has stated that he had the “wrong impression” that the edict of one of the five seats of temporal authority of Sikhism would apply to Sikhs all over the world. “Sikhs all around the world look up at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. I had the wrong impression that Akal Takht Sahib’s edict applies to Sikhs all over the world. It was only yesterday that I found out that the Akal Takht’s edict starts and ends within the boundary of the Akal Takht building. This was the message that the SGPC conveyed to me,” he said in a clear indictment of the existing processes.
There is no doubt that the sacking of the Takht Jathedars is an arrogant reaction by Sukhbir Badal to avenge his humiliation. The selfish politically motivated intent of SAD (Badal) and specifically Sukhbir Badal stands exposed.
Gian Raghbir Singh, Former Jathedar Akal Takht
Controversy over Appointment of the New Jathedars
There are tremors within the SAD itself over the arbitrary removal of the Jathedars of three Takhts, especially the Akal Takht. The act has been described as a mistake by SAD MLA Manpreet Ayali. Further, Bikram Singh Majithia, a senior SAD leader, along with six others, opposed the decision. They have stated that the removal has hurt Sikh sentiments worldwide and ignored the will of the Sangat. They have called for unity to protect the dignity of the Akal Takht and urged leaders to put aside differences. The acting president of the SAD, Balwinder Singh Bhunder, has criticised Majithia and his group for questioning the SGPC’s decision.
Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh on behalf of all major Nihang outfits, including Dal Panth Baba Bidhi Chand Sursingh, Misl Shaheedan, Tarna Dal, Baba Bakala, Tarna Dal Harya Belan and Dashmesh Tarna Dal, threatened to disrupt the Jathedar installation ceremony.
Several Sikh organisations, including the Damdami Taksal, Kar Sewa groups and the Takht Patna Sahib managing committee, announced a boycott of the ceremony and maintained that they will not accept the new Jathedars
It seems that the SGPC has realised that, by arbitrarily sacking the Takht Jathedars it has put its hand in a Hornets nest. It has attempted to brazen its way through by installing Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as Jathedar Sri Keshgarh Sahib at 2.45 AM on 10 March, seven hours before schedule. Later in the day, he also assumed charge as acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht.
The appointment of Jathedar at the dark hours, has not broken the existing convention and damaged the stature of the high office apart from hurting the sentiments of every Sikh. Immediate corrective action is absolutely necessary.
The Restoration of Maryada
It seems that Jathedar Sri Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, has remained sensitive to the feelings of the Sikh community and has given way to his inner conscience to set out on a courageous path of restoring Maryada.
The step by step approach that he has followed of listening to dissenting voices, declaring SAD leaders Tankah, announcing punishment in accordance with Sikh tenets and finally calling for a reorganisation of the SAD has opened the path of reform not only for the Akal Takht but also the SGPC and the SAD.
The controllers, however, are not ready to give up easily. They have fired their final shot by attempting to throw out the voices that have risen to contest their unholy control.
The Way Forward
Since the Badal family has been in control of SAD as well as SGPC for a long time it has to be held responsible for the erosion of the edifice that has been nurtured over centuries with great sacrifice of the community. Overriding control of a single family or a political party on religious institutions is condemnable and it should be immediately negated.
The definition of those who can participate in Sikh religious affairs needs to be revisited. The views expressed by Sehajdhari appellants in the case before the Supreme Court needs to be given due thought. The original charter of the SGPC and the SAD also needs to be revisited to restore Sikh traditions and ethos. These matters would be best resolved by the community rather than any court of law. Prominent Sikh historians, academicians, religious and community leaders, academicians and other need to be incorporated in this exercise.
The autonomy and sanctity of Sri Akal Takht and other Takhts in a manner that maintains the Sikh Maryada, Sikh religious tenets and traditions needs to be re-established. The first step in this direction could be putting in place a structured policy on the appointment and retirement of Takht Jathedars to ensure that the exalted office is free from all external influences, especially those which are political in nature.
Though Jathedar Akal Takht has taken the first step towards a reset of the SAD, it remains to be seen how this pans out. Will SAD once again play the seminal role in Punjab politics like it did during the Independence movement or will the best efforts of the Akal Takht fail before wily politicians? Only time will tell.
Conclusion
The ongoing face-off is damaging the Sikh religious institutions. More than that, it is harming the Sikh religion and causing great pain to Sikhs worldwide. The visible cracks in the system are a result of self-serving agendas, apathy and corruption of thought and action. The grip that the Badal family has on the SGPC is definitely not in favour of the Sikh community and the Sikh Church.
Allowing the SGPC imbroglio to fester is a big risk not only for the Sikhs but also the Punjabi community since it collectively holds a lot of faith in the Sikh Gurus and tenets. The fissures will open doors for radical forces to intervene and push for space which will be detrimental to Sikhi.
It is time for the Sikh community to decide whether it wishes to keep the sanctity of the religion primary or allow self-serving politics to manipulate its most sacred religious institution. The need of the hour is to identify all loopholes that have been created over time, plug them and also set things in accordance with the contemporary requirements.
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