Akal Takht accepts preacher Ranjit Dhadrianwale’s apology
Breaking a five-year-long deadlock, Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale on Wednesday appeared before the Akal Takht and pledged to abide by the Sikh principles and traditions.
On April 22, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj extended an open invitation to controversial Sikh preachers, including Dhadrianwale, to appear before the Akal Takht, clarify any past controversies, and rejoin the mainstream of Sikh preaching.
Responding to it, Dhadrianwale had claimed that his statements were morphed and politically influenced, hinting at his willingness to clarify matters and join the Sikh propagation campaign being initiated by Giani Gargaj.
Acknowledging his past ‘mistakes’, Dhadrianwale on Wednesday submitted a formal apology to the five high priests, clarifying his stance on previous allegations of distorting Sikh principles in his discourses.
The five high priests included Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Golden Temple granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Joginder Singh and Akal Takht’s granthi Giani Gurbakshish Singh.
After deliberations, the five high priests accepted Dhadrianwale’s apology letter while allowing him to preach Sikhism solely in the light of keeping the sanctity of Gurmat and Sikh rehat maryada (Sikh code of conduct).
Giani Gargaj questioned Dhadrianwale from the ‘faseel’ (podium) of the Akal Takht regarding his controversial remarks on Sikh principles. In response, Dhadrianwale humbly acknowledged his mistakes and expressed his desire to work within the mainstream of the Khalsa Panth, preaching Sikhism under the umbrella of the Akal Takht.
As a symbolic gesture of acceptance, Giani Gargaj ordered Dhadrianwale to offer a ‘deg’ worth Rs 501 at the Akal Takht, a traditional act signifying humility and reconciliation.
Between 2019 and 2020, Dhadrianwale was under Akal Takht’s lens following complaints accusing him of delivering distorted sermons on Sikh history and principles.
A sub-committee constituted by the Akal Takht repeatedly summoned Dhadrianwale to explain his statements, but he skipped the scheduled meetings on three occasions.
On August 24, 2020, based on the sub-committee’s adverse report, the Akal Takht issued an edict urging the Sikh community to boycott Dhadrianwale until he sought clemency.
Dhadrianwale advocated the recital of five ‘banis’ as per his interpretation of Sikh traditions (‘maryada’). He was accused of distorting Gurbani and rejecting traditional practices. Emphasising on rationality and logic, he used to urge followers to think critically while asserting that Guru Granth Sahib encourages logical thinking, which should guide faith and practices, thus blending modern perspectives with traditional teachings.
Punjab