The Damdami Taksal-sponsored “Panthic Ekath” (congregation) held in Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday showcased a strong display of unity as it unequivocally rejected the newly appointed Takht Jathedars and demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) reverse its executive decision.
The Taksal asserted that the appointments did not align with Panthic traditions and sentiments.
This development follows two days after Giani Kuldeep Singh stated that he would step down if the “Panth” (Sikh community) found shortcomings in his leadership.
The Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, led by Harnam Singh Khalsa “Dhuma,” convened the “Panthic congregation” at Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday, drawing representatives from various Sikh organisations, Sant Samaj, and Nihang Singh Jathebandis.
The gathering expressed a unified stance against the SGPC’s “arbitrary” removal of Takht Jathedars and their replacements, arguing that these decisions were made in violation of Sikh principles, “maryada,” and traditions.
Amidst enthusiastic chants of “Bole so nihal,” six resolutions were unanimously passed at the Panthic gathering held at Panj Piyara Park, Damdami Taksal premises, Gurdwara Gurdarshan Prakash in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa was chosen to lead the Sant Samaj, Sikh sampradayas, and “jathebandis” in guiding the Panth through the current crisis.
The most crucial resolution was the outright rejection of the SGPC-appointed Jathedars—Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula.
Another resolution called for the reinstatement of the three previously removed Jathedars—Giani Raghbir Singh (Akal Takht), Giani Sultan Singh (Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib), and Giani Harpreet Singh (Takht Sri Damdama Sahib)—at the upcoming SGPC 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 assigned him additional responsibilities as the “acting Jathedar” of the Akal Takht in Amritsar.
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These appointments followed the removal of Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Sultan Singh as Jathedars of the 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, filling the position left vacant after the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh in February.
In a controversial move, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj assumed office at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and took over as officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht in a clandestine manner, in the presence of “panj pyaras” and SGPC officials, but without any representation from other traditional Sikh bodies.
The Panthic leaders also stressed the importance of establishing clear norms for the appointment, jurisdiction, rights, and removal of Jathedars in consultation with Sikh intellectuals.
They urged Sikh devotees to reach out to SGPC members in their respective areas and convince them to press the executive body to revoke its “anti-Panthic” decision regarding Takht Jathedars.
They further warned that if the SGPC failed to comply, its members should be prepared to face strong opposition on March 28, when the general house budget meeting is scheduled to take place at Teja Singh Samundri Hall. In a final resolution, the global Sikh community was called upon to boycott the SGPC’s recent actions.
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