The long-running tussle between the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership and the top Sikh takhts has claimed the lives of two more Jathedars on Friday. The move by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s in-house committee to remove Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and Giani Sultan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, from their posts seems to be an attempt by the Shiromani Akali Dal to gain a grip on the Panthic narrative. However, Giani Raghbir Singh’s services as the Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib will continue.
Senior Vice President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Raghujit Singh Virk, has given the reason for the change of Jathedars as being that in view of the challenges faced by the Sikh Panth, Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh has been unable to resolve the challenges of the sect and provide proper leadership. Virk said that concrete action could not be taken on the growing gap in Sikh institutions and the growing threat to Sikh identity and self-respect at the global level. That is why he has been dismissed.
It may be recalled that on February 11, 2025, the 15-member executive committee had terminated the services of Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. Similarly, on December 2 last year, the historic Hukamnama, which declared former Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Akali leaders as salaried for the actions taken against the interests of the Panth and Punjab during the previous period, has so far removed three Jathedars, but the question is whether they have been removed from the Panthic and political and Panthic vision? Has this not deepened the Akali crisis?
It is worth mentioning here that the 7-member committee formed under the December 2 Hukamnama of the Panj Singh Sahibs was not recognized by the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership on the basis of the Election Commission. Earlier, an attempt was made to nullify the recruitment committee of Akal Takht Sahib through the resignations of Shiromani Committee President Harjinder Singh Dhami and former President Kirpal Singh Badungar, but when the Jathedar of Akal Takht directed the five-member committee to continue its work for the new recruitment of Shiromani Akali Dal and to elect a new chief from among the existing members, the 5-member committee announced that new recruitment would start from Sri Akal Takht Sahib from March 18. This had created a big challenge for the Shiromani Akali Dal. Although the Badal Akali Dal had earlier announced that its recruitment process had almost been completed. That is why the Jathedars were removed. It is believed that the Akali Dal’s crisis of removing the Jathedars will increase even more than before, as the Badal Akali Dal is already struggling for its credibility.
This step taken by the interim committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is being described by Panthic organizations as hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Debate over the appointment of a new Jathedar and etiquette
Now Giani Kuldeep Singh Garhgaj, who has been a ‘Kathavachak’ since 2001, has been appointed as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and has been given the additional responsibility of acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. Sant Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula has been appointed as the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. The newly appointed Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, took over as the Jathedar of Takht Sahib in the presence of the Panj Pyares at Amrit Veela yesterday. On this occasion, the Head Granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, offered prayers and later the Panj Pyares presented the turban to Singh Sahib. After this, on behalf of the Shiromani Committee, the Secretary of Takht Sahib, Partap Singh and Manager Malkit Singh also presented turbans to Singh Sahib. Although the ceremony related to the service of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was to be held on Monday at 10 am, but in view of the opposition to the ceremony by various Nihang Singh organizations, the turbaning of Singh Sahib was done in the dark of the night at around 2:45 am. However, later, Senior Vice President of the Shiromani Committee Raghujit Singh Virk and other members of the Interim Committee also admitted that Singh Sahib was given the service of Takht Sahib at dawn to avoid any kind of conflict and controversy. Whereas earlier, the head of the Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal, Baba Balbir Singh Akali 96 Crore, had said after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib that the appointment of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib is not acceptable to the Nihang Singh organizations and the way in which he has been secretly turbaned today is a gross violation of Panthic etiquette.
Meanwhile, after assuming the post of Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj while talking about the decisions pronounced by the Singh Sahibs from the walls of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 2 said that there can be no tampering with the Hukamnamas issued by Akal Takht Sahib in the light of Gurmat and the same applies to the Hukamnamas issued on December 2 without any exception, but in view of the current situation, a review can be done regarding the recruitment committee and an attempt will be made to remove the objections of the concerned parties. He urged the concerned parties to refrain from making bitter statements towards each other in this regard. Meanwhile, he appealed to the central government to give the status of holy city to Amritsar and Anandpur Sahib as per the ancient demand. On this occasion, he also expressed deep concern over drugs and religious conversions, saying
Yes, to solve all these problems, there is a need for an effective religious propaganda movement at the grassroots level, which he will start on a priority basis with the help of Sikh saints, great men, sects, intellectuals and scholars.
Rebellion in Badal Dal
After this whole incident, there is a big stir in Panthic politics. Under the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Akali Dal has already lost a lot of its political base. A section of the disgruntled leaders of the Akali Dal had also split, rejecting the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal. Now the biggest challenge to Sukhbir Badal seems to be from Bikram Singh Majithia. Dozens of senior and junior leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, who had stood by Sukhbir Singh Badal during every crisis, are now questioning the party’s decisions and strategy. Bikram Singh Majithia called this action a violation of the honor and dignity of the Sikh Panth and the Akal Takht Sahib. He says that the Akali Dal will emerge from the crisis like in the past and will be revived.
The party’s working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder has accused such leaders of violating party discipline and warned of disciplinary action.
Badal Akali Dal spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said that indiscipline on this issue will not be tolerated at any cost. Show cause notices will be issued to everyone. Action will be taken against them after considering their answers.”
Political experts believe that Bhunder is right in his statement that Majithia continued to act as a ‘super CM’ during the Badals’ rule. Although the court of justice has been kind to him so far, his image in the context of the prevalence of ‘white’ in Punjab is still as tainted as before. Sikh intellectuals believe that if Majithia has risen up against his brother-in-law Sukhbir Singh Badal or his advisors, then he is considering it as the product of common Sikh ‘family feud’ and is considering it as a ploy by the BJP.
Professor of politics Raunki Ram says that the Akali Dal is a regional party of Punjab, Punjabis also want to keep it alive and the leaders of Punjab too, because if the regional party ends, it will be a big loss for the people of Punjab.”
Dr. Paramjit Singh Mansa says that even though there are many leaders in the Akali Dal No matter how many factions there are, the powerful faction is the one that has the Shiromani Committee. The Shiromani Committee is currently with the faction led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. Therefore, if Majithia rebels, the Akali Dal will definitely suffer political losses, but Majithia will not be accepted as a Panthic leader.
Controversy over the new Jathedar’s service
There has also been controversy over the manner in which the Jathedar of Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, took over the service. While the Shiromani Akali Dal has welcomed the appointment of the new Jathedar, some Akali leaders and Panthic scholars are raising questions about it. While Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh, the head of the Buddha Dal, had announced to oppose the coronation of Jathedar Bhai Kuldeep Singh Gargajj as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, now Dal Khalsa has announced to oppose the coronation of the newly appointed Jathedar Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo). Dal Khalsa Senior Vice President Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj, Central Committee Member Gurwinder Singh Bathinda etc. said that in this protest, Dal Khalsa will oppose the coronation of Jathedar Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula along with Sikh organizations and he will not be allowed to take over the service of Takht Sahib. In this regard, they are soon calling a gathering of representative Sikh organizations at Takht Damdama Sahib.
Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh has termed the “Seva Sambal Samagm held without the presence of the Sikh Sangat and the absence of the Guru Granth Sahib Parkash” on the occasion of the taking charge of the post by the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as a gross violation of etiquette. He said that “Neither the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was Parkashed at Takht Sahib nor the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, nor the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, nor the President of the Shiromani Committee, nor the Sikh Sangats, organizations, and sects were present during the Sikh Sangat ceremony.”
Singh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh said that a great violation of etiquette was committed during the turban ceremony, regarding which Sangats from home and abroad have also raised objections with him. He said that the Interim Committee of the Shiromani Committee appoints the Jathedars and there is a special procedure regarding the taking over of the service of the Jathedar. A Gurmat Samagam is organized and all Sikh organizations, sects, Nihang Singh organizations, Udasis, Nirmalas, saints and great men are invited to participate in it. During this event, the Chief Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib announces the appointment of the Jathedar from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Sangat gives his approval by calling the congregation with cheers. Giani Raghbir Singh said that according to tradition, the Chief Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib gives the first turban to the Jathedar and in the same way, turbans are presented to him by various Sikh organizations. On the other hand, Raghujit Singh Virk said that on the occasion of Giani Kuldeep Singh taking over the service, turbans have been given in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by the Panj Pyare Sahibans and the Shiromani Committee. This was confirmed by Giani Joginder Singh, the head granthi of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib. He said that I myself was present at that time. Sri Akhand Path Sahib was being held and Singh Sahib was in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was given a turban. There was no violation of etiquette.
Meanwhile, senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Paramjit Singh Sarna, has welcomed the decision of the Shiromani Committee. Sarna said, “The decision taken by the Gurdwara Management Committee to appoint Singh Sahibs in view of the situation prevailing among the Sikhs and the message given to the nation by Singh Sahib while choosing Amrit Vela to avoid conflict, has proven that this decision of the committee is short-sighted.”
What should be the solution to the Panthic crisis
All the prominent personalities and organizations of the Panth and Punjab are discussing that the future of Punjab lies with the strength of the Akali Dal. The weakening of this party is causing loss to the Panth and Punjab. How can this loss be avoided? How can the increasing distances be reduced day by day? This thought has been going on continuously for some time now. Surprisingly, the more the thought of walking together increases, the more the distances are increasing.
Many leaders associated with the Akali Dal feel that the decision of December 2 has taken the crisis of the Panth to a deeper crisis. But the message has gone out to the Panthic organizations that the Akali Dal Badal and the Shiromani Committee have canceled the Hukamnama and the Recruitment Committee to maintain the presidency of Sukhbir Singh Badal. Disregarding the order of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the way is being paved to re-appoint the previous president of the Shiromani Akali Dal as per the pre-arranged plan. During this time, the newly appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib has made this fear even more evident by giving a statement regarding the review of the Recruitment Committee on the very first day itself.
All Sikhs want an amicable solution to the current issue, because Sikh leaders and organizations dedicated to the BJP want to complicate this matter. They have become active in confusing this issue. Common Sikhs believe that this can be possible only if the principles of Gurmat are kept in mind by the Panthic parties and the Sikh leadership. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the center of Miri-Piri. There should be rules regarding the appointment of Jathedars. They should be of high character and should be guardians of Sikh principles.
Panthic experts believe that it is very important to formulate a procedure for the provision of service and retirement of Jathedar Sahibs. At least after passing the general meeting on the advice of Panthic organizations, service can be provided and retirement can be granted. A clear procedure should be ensured for the resolution of Panthic problems and the issuance of Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht Sahib so that in the future there is no possibility of anyone using Sri Akal Takht Sahib for personal interests and the recognition and sanctity of the Hukamnamas issued from Sri Akal Takht Sahib from time to time in the Khalsa Panth are maintained.
