6 hours Ago By GS Paul
The Damdami Taksal-sponsored “Panthic Ekath” (congregation) held in Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday, in a resounding show of unity, has outrightly rejected the newly appointed Takht Jathedars and demanded the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to “undo” its executive’s decision. The Taksal maintains that this decision does not align with Panthic traditions and sentiments. This development comes two days after Giani Kuldeep Singh asserted he would step down if the “Panth” (Sikh community) found shortcomings in his leadership.
The Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, headed by Harnam Singh Khalsa “Dhuma,” had called for a “Panthic congregation” at Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday. Representatives of various Sikh organisations, Sant Samaj, and Nihang Singh Jathebandis attended the event to express their “joint dissent” against the SGPC’s “arbitrary” removal of Takht Jathedars and new appointments, claiming they were made in violation of Sikh principles, “maryada,” and traditions. It has been reported that amidst the chanting of “Bole so nihal” jaykaras, six resolutions were passed unanimously during the “Panthic gathering” held at Panj Piyara Park, Damdami Taksal premises, Gurdwara Gurdarshan Prakash (Sri Anandpur Sahib).
Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa was nominated to lead the Sant Samaj, Sikh sampradayas, and “jathebandis” to guide the Panth out of the current crisis. The first and foremost resolution was the rejection of the SGPC-appointed Jathedars—Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula. The Panthic leaders, in another resolution, demanded that the SGPC reinstate the three “sacked” Jathedars—Giani Raghbir Singh (Akal Takht), Giani Sultan Singh (Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib), and Giani Harpreet Singh (Takht Sri Damdama Sahib)—at its upcoming executive body meeting scheduled for March 17.
On March 7, the SGPC executive appointed Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and also gave him additional charge of the Akal Takht in Amritsar as “acting Jathedar.” The appointment was made after removing Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Sultan Singh as the Jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, respectively. Similarly, Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula was appointed as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo.
The seat became vacant after the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in February. Amidst the Jathedars’ row, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj assumed the office of the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib as “Jathedar” and officiating charge of the Akal Takht in a clandestine manner in the presence of “panj pyaras” and SGPC officials, without representation from other traditional Sikh bodies. The “Panthic” leaders also emphasised the need to establish norms for the appointment, jurisdiction, rights, and removal of Jathedars in consultation with Sikh intellectuals.
They urged Sikh devotees to approach SGPC members in their areas and persuade them to convince the executive body members to revoke their “anti-Panthic” decision on Takht Jathedars. Otherwise, they warned, SGPC members should be ready to face confrontation on March 28, when the general house budget meeting is scheduled at Teja Singh Samundri Hall. Meanwhile, in another resolution, the global Sikh community was urged to boycott the SGPC’s move.
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