Latest news with #TakhtPatnaSahib
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dhumma's Bluestar event messaging went beyond Gargaj, had a Patna Sahib outreach
Jalandhar: On the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar at Akal Takht, Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma-led Damdami Taksal showed it clout by not letting Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to speak or honour the families of the "martyrs" (people who were killed in the Army action in 1984), but the messaging went beyond this. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Damdami Taksal also made it a point to invite two Takht Patna Sahib high priests and give them prominence at a function held at its Mehta Chowk headquarters on the same day. These high priests were barred by Akal Takht on May 21 from 'panthic services'. Both priests, along with three others, retaliated on the same day by declaring the jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib "tankhaiya" and summoned Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The two high priests in question were Patna Sahib head granthi Giani Baldev Singh and granthi Gurdial Singh. Both, along with three other priests, issued another directive on June 1, giving Sukhbir an extension and asking him to appear before them on June 10 to present his side, warning him with "stringent action" if he failed to do so. To communicate the message further, both were made to stand next to Darbar Sahib head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh when he addressed the congregation. Two others who were made to flank him included Darbar Sahib granthi Palwinderpal Singh, a former student of taksal, and a representative from Takht Hazur Sahib. Baldev Singh also addressed the congregation. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami also addressed the function, while quite a few granthis of Darbar Sahib and leaders of different sampardas (traditional groups) attended the gathering. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A press statement issued by the taksal mentioned Raghbir Singh as "jathedar", while former Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Sultan Singh, who is now working as granthi at Darbar Sahib, was mentioned as Kesgarh Sahib jathedar. Both Raghbir Singh and Sultan Singh were unceremoniously sacked from their posts of jathedars in March, and their removal led to a big controversy. Taksal chief Baba Dhumma has been agitating against their removal and has been objecting to Gargaj's appointment and taking charge as jathedar, arguing that 'maryada' was not followed. At the June 6 function at Akal Takht, Gargaj gave his message through the 'ardas'. While Baba Dhumma got an upper hand as his point prevailed, Gargaj, after the function, gained some sympathy from the community members. The tradition of Akal Takht jathedar not giving his message on that day was broken to avert a clash. Box – Clash between Akal Takht and Patna Sahib clergy Five Sikh high priests at Akal Takht, including Akal Takht acting jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Tek Singh Dhanaula, in their meeting on May 21 held that an earlier directive by Akal Takht on Dec 6, 2022, about Baldev Singh and Gurdial Singh was not complied with, and barred them from rendering panthic services. At that time, Giani Harpreet Singh was acting jathedar of Akal Takht. The May 21 directive also explicitly mentioned that Baldev Singh was not fit to render services at Takht Patna Sahib or in the panthic sphere. Both priests were also asked to appear at Akal Takht and present their side. Until then, they were barred from rendering 'panthic services'. The Akal Takht directive also asked the Takht Patna Sahib management committee to appear at Akal Takht and present its side. Hours after this directive, the five granthis (priests) of Takht Patna Sahib, including Baldev Singh and Gurdial Singh, hit back by declaring Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Tek Singh Dhanaula 'tankhaiya'. They asked Sukhbir Singh Badal to appear there for "his interference and being a conspirator" in the whole affair and asked the Patna Sahib management committee to not appear at Akal Takht. They also held that from now on, no directive from Akal Takht or from any other yakht would be implemented at Takht Patna Sahib nor complied with. When Baba Dhumma announced his opposition to Gargaj's address, to further buttress his case, he prominently cited the Takht Patna Sahib clergy declaring him 'tankhaiya'. MSID:: 121707935 413 |
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: SGPC panel meets Takht Patna Sahib mgmt over edict dispute
In an effort to resolve the ongoing controversy stemming from the rejection of an edict issued by the Akal Takht, a delegation from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met with the management committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib on Thursday. The meeting aimed to address the discord caused after the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of Takht Patna Sahib opposed the directive from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. The SGPC delegation included senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, members Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmunwala, and assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi. The team was constituted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami specifically to engage in dialogue with the leadership of the Bihar-based Takht and seek a resolution to the conflict. Speaking after the meeting, SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal stated that the differences following the Akal Takht's edict had significantly impacted the Sikh community. 'To address the situation, the SGPC chief formed this committee to hold discussions with the Takht Patna Sahib management. The aim is to restore harmony through dialogue,' he said. Grewal added that the Takht Patna Sahib committee had expressed its support for the edict issued by its Panj Pyare. 'We conveyed the SGPC's position, which aligns with the Akal Takht's directive. Despite the disagreement, both sides are committed to resolving the issue amicably,' he stated. The SGPC committee will now prepare and submit a detailed report of the meeting to the SGPC president for further action.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC panel to visit Takht Patna Sahib to settle dispute
A Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) delegation will visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib and hold a discussion with the management there to settle the dispute, a Sikh body spokesperson said on Saturday. A row erupted after Takht Patna Sahib when Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, pointed to defiance of its 2022 decree which had ordered an assessment of Patna Sahib jathedar Baldev Singh's Gurbani recitation skills and the transfer of granthi Gurdial Singh. On May 21, the Panj Pyaras of Takht Patna Sahib declared acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions that allegedly hurt the sanctity and dignity of the Takht Patna Sahib. As the confrontation escalated, Panj Pyaras of three Punjab-based temporal seats— Akal Takht, Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib—passed resolutions against the move. 'SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami constituted a delegation, which includes SGPC's senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala will visit Patna. SGPC assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi has been appointed as the coordinator of this delegation, the spokesperson added. Providing further details, Satbir Singh, officer on special duty (OSD) to SGPC's chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, said that the delegation would travel to Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib soon to hold discussions with its management committee and the Panj Pyaras.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Patna Sahib row: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee team to hold talks
Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has constituted a delegation that would go to Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib to hold discussions regarding the directives issued by the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of the Takht. The instructions were given following a meeting of the five Sikh high priests held at Akal Takht, which issued directions for summoning the jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib and others. The delegation, constituted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, includes SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Garewal, and Gurbachan Singh Karmunwala. Additional secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi has been appointed as the coordinator. Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has constituted a delegation that would go to Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib to hold discussions regarding the directives issued by the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of the Takht. The instructions were given following a meeting of the five Sikh high priests held at Akal Takht, which issued directions for summoning the jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib and others. The delegation, constituted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, includes SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Garewal, and Gurbachan Singh Karmunwala. Additional secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi has been appointed as the coordinator.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sikh institutions at odds as Akal Takht, Patna Sahib exchange jabs, Sukhbir Badal in the mix
IN A surprise move at a special meeting on Wednesday, the five top priests of the Takht Sri Patna Sahib – one of the five Takhts or seats of Sikh temporal power in the country – declared two of its jathedars or head priests 'tankhaiya', or guilty of religious misconduct. The two included Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the recently appointed acting jathedar of the Akal Takht in Amritsar, the highest Sikh temporal seat, and Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula, who heads the Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda. 'Giani Gargaj and Tek Singh challenged the constitution (of the Takht Patna Sahib), interfered with the powers of the local management, and issued an edict against the decisions of Takht Patna Sahib,' said a statement from the Takht Patna Sahib. Just hours earlier, the Jathedars of the Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, the three Punjab-based takhts, had lifted the ban on the excommunicated ex-Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar and imposed bans on a sitting jathedar of the Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Baldev Singh, and another Patna Sahib priest, Gurdial Singh. When this met with opposition by the Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the Akal Takht said that Section 79 of Patna Sahib's Constitution and Bylaws gave it the power to decide on religious matters and that its decision was final. Gohar had been removed as the Patna Sahib Jathedar in August 2022 by the Akal Takht after allegations of embezzlement. However, an internal investigation cleared Gohar, resulting in the lifting of the ban against him by the Akal Takht. As regards Baldev Singh, the Akal Takht said he lacked 'the required skills' to carry out his duties as a priest, including reciting Gurbani, or sacred hymns and texts. The Akal Takht had asked Baldev Singh to 'prove' his skills through video recordings, but the jathedar refused. In a statement, the Akal Takht said this was among several of its directives ignored by the Patna Sahib leadership in recent years. In its counter-order, the Takht Sri Patna Sahib also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for allegedly interfering in its functioning. In the past, it has accused the BJP of similar 'interference'. 'Information has come to us that Sukhbir Singh Badal played a role in this interference. He has been asked to present his side,' the statement said, adding that it directed Badal to appear before it within 10 days. The developments come against the backdrop of a series of embezzlement accusations between the current and former Patna Sahib jathedars, Baldev Singh and Gohar, respectively – and have now sparked a conflict between the Akal Takht and the Patna Sahib over their overlapping powers. This has come at an inopportune time for Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh, who has been trying to stamp his authority as the head of the highest Sikh seat of power, in the face of factionalism within Sikh institutions and allegations of political influence being behind his appointment. Kuldeep Singh was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body for gurdwara management in Punjab, though the Damdami Taksal, an influential socio-religious organisation formerly aligned with the SAD, had opposed it. This isn't the first clash between the Akal Takht and Patna Sahib. In 2008, the then Patna Sahib jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, had claimed the Patna Sahib's supremacy over the Akal Takht and excommunicated then Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. Iqbal Singh was later found guilty of religious misconduct. So far, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has not taken a side in the current dispute, though he expressed concern over the wrong message being sent to the Sikh community in the clash between the Akal Takht and Patna Sahib. The Patna shrine is, incidentally, partly administered by a department of the Bihar government. Dhami said matters concerning Panthic institutions and issues must be dealt with seriousness and maturity, and that mutual dialogue is the best path forward. 'The entire Sikh world looks up to these institutions and Takhts for inspiration, but the current atmosphere of internal conflict is creating confusion within the community,' he said, adding that as a leader and member of the Sikh community, he will make efforts – both formal and personal – for a prompt resolution. As far as Badal goes, the summons issued by the Patna Sahib is unlikely to damage him politically, even if the SAD chief is vulnerable politically and has been trying to dispel allegations of 'interference' in Sikh institutions for political gain. Last year, owing to alleged religious misconduct during the SAD's tenure in power in Punjab from 2007 and 2017, Badal had been declared tankhaiya and sentenced to religious punishment by the Akal Takht, then led by jathedar Harpeet Singh. In fact, Gohar had come to Badal's defence during this episode and criticised Harpreet Singh's decision.
