Withdraw proclamation against jathedars or face action, Patna Sahib management panel told

The Akal Takht secretariat on Thursday ordered the immediate withdrawal of the proclamation by Patna Sahib “panj pyaras” declaring temporal heads of the Akal Takht and Damdama Sahib as “tankhaiya”.

The secretariat also warned the Patna Sahib gurdwara management committee of action on failing to adhere to the order, citing the supremacy of the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs — when it comes to religious matters.

The “panj pyaras” (five beloved ones) had on Wednesday held Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh guilty of “denting the dignity, code of conduct and sovereignty of Takht Patna Sahib”.

The “panj pyaras” come under the Patna Sahib gurdwara management panel.

The move came hours after five Sikh priests, including Giani Gargaj and Baba Tek Singh, summoned the entire management panel of the Patna Sahib shrine over the “non-compliance” of the Akal Takht orders.

The Akal Takht had earlier barred two Patna Sahib priests Bhai Baldev Singh and Bhai Gurdial Singh from reciting Gurbani over alleged “improper recital”.

Bhai Baldev Singh and Bhai Gurdial Singh were part of the “panj pyaras” that had issued the proclamation against the jathedars of the Punjab-based temporal seats.

At the meeting, a clean chit was also given to Takht Patna Sahib former Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar, whose services were terminated by the management panel of the Patna-based shrine in August 2022 after holding him guilty of “involvement in embezzlement of donations in the form of gold and other items”.

The move by the “panj pyaras” had stirred a row as they defied the Akal Takht decree.

Reacting to the development, the secretariat said according to the Sikh code of conduct, the Akal Takht was the highest among the five Sikh temporal seats, including Damdama Sahib, Kesgarh Sahib, Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib.

It said the orders of the Akal Takht were “binding” on all Takhts and the entire Sikh community.

“No group of ‘panj pyaras’ from any Takht Sahib has the authority to question the supremacy of the Akal Takht Sahib,” the secretariat said in a statement.

“Takht Sri Patna Sahib can take decisions related to local existing maryada, rituals and doctrines but Sri Akal Takht Sahib has full authority to deliberate on disputes related to religious matters and its opinion and decisions are considered final,” it added.

The Akal Takht secretariat also mentioned that the granthis of the Takht Patna Sahib, who attempted to challenge the Akal Takht on Wednesday, were currently under scrutiny for several complaints involving anti-Gurmat conduct.

It said bylaws of the Takht Patna Sahib gave power to the Akal Takht to decide on religious matters and its opinions or decisions are considered final.

Will intervene to resolve issue: Dhami

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami said he would make every possible effort, both formally and personally, for a prompt resolution of the unwarranted conflict.

“Differences among Sikh’s supreme institutions are never in the interest of Panth. What Takht Patna Sahib ‘panj pyaras’ did in retaliation to the five high priests’ decisions at the Akal Takht yesterday has not sent a positive message to the community,” he said.

“The entire Sikh world looks up to these institutions and the Takhts for inspiration but the current atmosphere is creating confusion within the community. We need to adopt a mature approach and mutual dialogue is the best way forward,” Dhami added.

Meanwhile, the “panj pyaras” of the three Punjab-based temporal seats have rejected the decision of their counterparts at the Takht Patna Sahib.

Punjab