Sri Akal Takht Sahib, on whose wall Satguru Hargobind Sahib Ji had erected an unwavering symbol of Miri-Piri, is today facing a new crisis. The Hukamnama of Takht Sri Patna Sahib has raised questions on the supremacy of the Akal Takht. Is this decision declaring Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Sant Tek Singh, as Tanhagia, a matter of Panthic morality, or is there a hidden game of political interests behind it?
According to the morality of the Sikh Panth, no Takht can deny the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Sikh Rehat Maryada, issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in 1945, makes it clear that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the highest place of all Takhts. However, on 21 May 2025, the Panj Pyares of Takht Patna Sahib issued a parallel order declaring Sukhbir Singh Badal, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, and Sant Tek Singh as Tanhagias. This order is not just a decision, but a direct attack on the centuries-old tradition of the Sikh Panth. According to Panthic circles, this decision has created a rift that has torn the unity of the Sikh Panth, the solution of which is possible only under consensus and morality.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, was declared as Tanhagia by Takht Patna Sahib on 21 May 2025. The main reason for this is believed to be the alleged failures of the Akali government during 2007-2017, especially the 2015 Bargari sacrilege incident and the death of two Sikh youths in police firing. These incidents are like a wound in the heart of the Sikh community, the heat of which is still felt.
But the question is, when Sri Akal Takht Sahib had already pronounced a verdict on this matter, what was the need for Patna Sahib to raise it again? When it was not its jurisdiction according to Sikh tradition and custom.
The Panthic constituency does not rule out the possibility of government or political interference in this matter. The decision to declare Sukhbir Singh Badal a Tanhagiya, issued by the Panj Pyaras, is a violation of Sikh morality, because denying the supremacy of the Akal Takht is tantamount to challenging the constitution and statutes of the Sikh community.
Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar controversy: Crisis over the property of the Guru Ghar
The case of Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar from quite some time ago is one of the roots of this controversy. Dr. The allegations of misappropriation of assets donated by Gurvinder Singh Samra to Takht Sri Patna Sahib—golden kalgi, Panghura Sahib and valuables worth more than 5 crores—had created a storm. These allegations were leveled against Giani Gauhar. However, on May 21, 2025, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, made the report of the investigation committee public, in which Gauhar was declared innocent. The Patna Sahib management committee refused to accept this decision. The Patna Sahib management committee, through the Panj Pyares, had declared Sukhbir Singh Badal, Jathedar Akal Takht Jathedar Damdama Sahib as salarymen. According to Panthic experts, this issue would not have been complicated if the Jathedar of Akal Takht had taken the Takht Patna Sahib management committee into confidence before taking this decision.
SGPC’s reprieve: A challenge to the jurisdiction of the Akal Takht or a compromise?
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami sought a 20-day reprieve for Sukhbir Badal, which was accepted by Patna Sahib. But, was this reprieve just an attempt at compromise, or a challenge to the jurisdiction of the supremacy of the Akal Takht?
It should be remembered that the SGPC had sent a delegation to Takht Patna Sahib, which included Senior Vice President Raghujit Singh Virk and other members. According to Panthic experts, after the talks of this delegation, the Takht Patna Sahib report was submitted, but it further confused the issue instead of resolving it. Sikh organizations considered this role of the SGPC to be weakening the dignity of the Akal Takht. If the SGPC accepts the leadership of the Akal Takht, then what was the need to obey the order of Patna Sahib or ask for a respite?
Sarbat Khalsa is the only solution to the unity of the Sikh Panth, challenges and disputes
The solution to this crisis lies only in the Sarbat Khalsa, the Panthic representative gathering. Sarbat Khalsa, which is the all-encompassing organization of the Sikh Panth, brings the Sangat, Jathedars, and scholars on one platform. In Sarbat Khalsa, clear decisions can be taken on the Sukhbir Singh Badal case, the Giani Gauhar controversy, and the supremacy of the Akal Takht. To prevent government interference, it is the need of the hour to make the Sangat aware, keep the election of the Panj Pyares under the rule of law, and ensure the independence of the Akal Takht Sahib and other Sikh institutions. Sarbat Khalsa can not only resolve this dispute, but can also strengthen the unity of the Sikh Panth and raise the Guru’s mark even higher. Just as the light of the Satguru dispels all darkness, so too can the consensus of the Sarbat Khalsa bring the Sikh Panth back into the thread of unity.
