SGPC Removes 'Takht Jathedars', Sikh Community Outraged

On 7 Mar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) interim executive committee dismissed Giani Raghbir Singh as Jathedar (Leader) of Akal Takht (Eternal Throne; AT) and Giani Sultan Singh as Jathedar of Takht (throne) Kesgarh Sahib. The decision has drawn outrage among Sikhs in Panjab, Inspora, and Diaspora. Both the Jathedars had participated in the events at AT on 2 Dec 2024. AT had punished Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal who had already been declared tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) and asked him to resign from his post, and called for the reorganization of SAD. The SGPC, dominated by SAD loyalists, had earlier removed Giani Harpreet Singh as Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar, effectively ousting all three Jathedars who pronounced the edicts. Senior vice-president of SGPC Raghujit Singh Virk defended the ousters, citing inadequate leadership by Giani Raghbir Singh. Giani Harpreet Singh, labeled it a ‘black day’ for Sikh institutions, accusing the Badal family of dictatorial control and undermining AT’s sacred authority. Bikram Singh Majithia, a senior SAD leader, Badal’s brother-in-law, opposed the decision, saying it had ignored the will of the sangat (Sikh community). In a joint statement, he and other leaders said internal conflicts within SAD had damaged Panthic (Sikh Collective) unity and strengthened opposing forces. SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder said Majithia had backstabbed Badal. Haryana-based SAD leaders resigned in protest. In the past decades, the Badal-led SAD has repeatedly appointed Jathedars favorable to them and removed Jathedars who defied the party’s interests. Among those removed are Bhai Ranjit Singh in 1999, Giani Puran Singh in 2000, and Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti in 2008 and others. The SGPC has scheduled its annual budget session for 28 Mar. SGPC’s actions have once again shown that the Sikh community does not have an independent process to appoint their leaders and hence lacks credible leadership (earlier coverage).

Early on 10 Mar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) hurriedly appointed forty-year-old Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as Jathedar (leader) of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. The ceremony was conducted with Panj Piare Sahiban (Five Loved Ones), SGPC secretary Pratap Singh, and with Takht (throne) management staff in attendance. The SGPC advanced the ceremony at Anandpur Sahib to avoid clashes with Nihangs (traditional Sikh warrior) groups and the Damdami Taksal (Sikh seminary) who had planned to disrupt the ceremony. Budha Dal (a warrior group) leader Baba Balbir Singh publicly called for blocking the appointment. Damdami Taksal spokesperson Gurdeep Singh Naulkha also opposed Gargaj’s appointment. Giani Harpreet Singh, former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar, and Giani Raghbir Singh former Akal Takht (Eternal Throne; AT) Jathedar criticized the process of Giani Gargaj’s appointment for violating the code of conduct. In his inaugural address, Giani Gargaj, who is also now the acting Jathedar (leader) of the AT as well, said, ‘The Sikh community is in peril, drugs have eroded the society; the fear of demographic shift in Panjab is real and if not checked the community would be reduced to a minority in their homeland.’ He said the reason was the Panth (Sikh Collective) has moved away from religion, we should take direction from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh Scripture). He lamented the growing disunity among Sikhs and called for unity. He asserted that the 2 Dec 2024 edicts remain intact, rejecting speculation of any rollback, adding that he would look into grievances regarding the AT appointed seven-member committee to oversee SAD’s reorganization. Giani Gargaj has served in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee during the presidency of Paramjit Singh Sarna who is considered close to Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal.

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court convicted two former Panjab police personnel for a 1993 fake encounter in Tarn Taran. The Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar-based court sentenced former Station House Officer, 80-years-old Sita Ram for life under murder charges and former constable, 57-years-old Rajpal five years in prison, while five others were acquitted. Four accused had died during trial. The victims, Gurdev Singh and Sukhwant Singh, were abducted separately, declared hardened criminals, and falsely reported killed on 6 Feb 1993. Their bodies were cremated as ‘unclaimed,’ prompting a Supreme Court of India-ordered CBI probe that revealed fabricated evidence. A fabricated First Information Report was filed at the Patti police station to cover up the crime. Initially, the police falsely claimed that the victims were involved in 300 cases of serious crimes, including murder and extortion. The CBI investigation debunked these claims. Sita Ram had previously been convicted in another encounter case but was acquitted on appeal in 2009. Rajbir Singh, the son of one of the victims Sukhwant Singh, ironically serves as a Panjab police constable. He said he cannot condemn the entire force for past abuses. He and his mother Mohinder Kaur plan to challenge the acquittals, saying they still yearn for full justice thirty years later. Most of these cases were filed between 1992–94, and convictions were of non-officers. Separately, an Amritsar court dropped murder attempt charges in a 2019 ‘encounter’ where the Special Task Force (STF) claimed its then chief, Harpreet Singh Sidhu, escaped gunfire at a roadside dhaba (eatery). Three accused drug smugglers were convicted under forgery and illegal-arms sections after the judge found no ballistic examinations and proof that the policemen sustained injury. Lawyer Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, representing the accused, contended that high-profile STF operations highlight recurring questions about extrajudicial methods and police narrative reliability (earlier coverage).

A district court in Moga acquitted Scottish national Jagtar Singh Johal in one of the nine cases, ruling that no credible evidence linked him to an alleged series of murders in 2016–17. A human rights activist, Johal has been in custody in Panjab for seven years on multiple terror-related charges, despite the absence of any physical proof of wrongdoing. He still faces eight near-identical prosecutions brought by India’s National Investigation Agency. Johal’s family and supporters, including the human rights organization Reprieve allege that he was tortured shortly after his 2017 arrest—just weeks after his wedding—and coerced into signing a false confession. They emphasize that the authorities provided no proof of bank transfers, recorded conversations, or any paper trail. His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, insists the entire case is baseless, urging the British government to press for immediate release in light of the Moga acquittal. Following his acquittal, House of Commons leader Lucy Powell joined several UK Members of Parliament in calling for urgent intervention. Meanwhile, on India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent visit to the UK as he was leaving Chatham House, a group of Khalistan activists gathered to raise slogans against India and one activist rushed to the cavalcade and tore an Indian flag in front of it. Jaishankar’s visit highlighted India’s growing impatience with Sikh separatist activities. He discussed extremism with UK home secretary Yvette Cooper, urging action against pro-Khalistan outfits. Both nations resumed negotiations on a balanced free trade deal, hoping to boost ties worth GBP 41B. Meanwhile, a Babbar Khalsa International suspect, allegedly associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, was arrested in Uttar Pradesh after allegedly plotting to target the Maha Kumbh (huge gathering) gathering at Prayagraj. Police seized grenades, arms, and a pistol. The accused had escaped Panjab judicial custody earlier in 2024 (earlier coverage).

On 10 Mar, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Panjab held a four-hour protest outside the residences of many Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA). On 9 Mar, SKM leaders argued that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann cannot pass off their demands as a union government issue. On 5 Mar, the Panjab govt. stopped farmers from entering Chandigarh and detained scores of farmers leaders. Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) Chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan said, 'Panjab CM is speaking the language of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). He wants to create a divide between urban and rural areas...Twelve demands were agreed upon by the CM in December 2023 and now he claims we had gone to him with the demands related to the Center (union govt.). We are ready for a debate with him at any given time and place.' Interestingly, the AAP MLA from Nabha, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann joined the farmers as they staged protests against his own party's MLA and ministers. Given US president Donald Trump’s change in policies, farmer unions have cautioned the Union govt. against succumbing to US pressure to open India’s agriculture sector to large-scale trade, calling it ‘suicidal’ for domestic farmers who cannot compete with heavily subsidized American imports. Concerns have risen that India may yield to US demands on tariff cuts, prompting the Indian National Congress party to question whether New Delhi has ‘surrendered’ national interests. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick earlier stated that India ‘can’t just keep agriculture closed.’ Meanwhile, Panjab Horticulture minister Mohinder Kumar Bhagat confirmed that the state fully utilized USD 538M under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, surpassing its initial goals before the 31 Mar 2026 deadline. With more than 21K sanctioned projects, Panjab aims to modernize post-harvest processes, from cold stores and drone services to advanced processing (earlier coverage).

On 28 Feb, the Dalits (marginalized caste) from the Malwa region gathered near the Bathinda-Zirakpur highway and marched to a be-chiraag (abandoned) land in Beed Aiswaan on the outskirts of Sangrur city. This land, once owned by the erstwhile princely state of Jind, now held as be-naami (un-registered) property, has remained without a legal heir following the death of its last ruler. Despite repeated demands for the state to declare it nazool (public) land and redistribute it among Dalits and other landless communities as per the Punjab Land Reform Act (PLRA), 1972, no action was taken. The protesters under the aegis of Zameen Prapati Sangarsh Committee (ZPSC) claimed the 927 acres and insisted no crops would be sown on the land after the current wheat season. The protesters plan to fairly divide the land among Dalits, landless individuals, and small farmers. They also urged the Panjab government to enforce the PLRA, seize land above 17.5 acres, and distribute it equitably. Mukesh Malod, zonal president of ZPSC, addressed the gathering, saying, 'Despite the govt.’s claims, large tracts of land are still under illegal control of big landowners, while Dalits continue to lack basic housing.' With this action, the Dalit land struggle in Panjab has entered a new phase moving beyond the fight for Dalits’ rightful one-third share of panchayati (local govt.) land. The movement has identified 153 villages across the state where similar large tracts of absentee land remain. In Panjab, Dalits, despite comprising 31% of the state’s population, own less than 3.5% of the land. The protesters named the village Begumpura—place without sorrow—echoing the vision recorded in Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh scripture) of Dalit icon Bhagat Ravidas (proclaimed Guru by Ravidasia community) who dreamt of a place where society was casteless and classless which was established at several cities founded by the Sikh Gurus from Kartarpur to Anandpur.

A 22-year-old woman has filed a police case against self-styled Christian preacher Bajinder Singh, head of the Church of Glory and Wisdom. The victim claims Baljinder’s unwanted advances began in 2017 when she was just 17-years-old. Kapurthala police has filed cases under Sections 354A, 354D, and 506 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (new Indian Penal Code) (BNS) for allegedly harassing the 22-year-old woman. The First Information Report (FIR) filed on 3 Mar states that Baljinder, already married, forced the victim to sit alone in his cabin, threatened her family if she did not marry him, and caused her severe panic attacks. The National Commission for Women has demanded swift action, directing the Panjab police to file an action-taken report within three days. Bajinder dismissed the allegations as conspiracies and conducted a massive weekly congregation near Jalandhar. He brought his children on stage, claiming that divine healings—like curing blindness—would not occur through a preacher of ‘bad character.’ In 2018, Bajinder faced another rape accusation but was acquitted. Baljinder’s critics condemn his large-scale miracle gatherings as superstitious and profit-driven. Baljinder’s popularity extends beyond Panjab: at a January 2025 event in Gumla, Jharkhand, thousands attended, many seeking healing or quick solutions to life’s troubles, including non-Christians. The local bishop’s office disapproved, asserting that mainstream churches neither endorse mass miracle events nor charge for blessings. Bajinder’s social media presence, notably on YouTube, has garnered millions of followers with musical Yeshu Yeshu (Jesus Jesus) performances. Baljinder reportedly converted to Christianity while in jail for a murder case around fifteen years ago and started his own ministry in 2016. Although rationalists label Baljinder a fraud, supporters insist they have personally experienced miraculous cures. Meanwhile, the alleged victim says Bajinder boasted that police would never act against him. Still, she lodged a complaint despite intimidation, including threats to her husband.

The Panjab Cabinet has approved two One-Time Settlement (OTS) schemes that allow industrialists to clear long-standing dues related to enhanced land costs and principal payments on industrial plots, providing a major relief for approximately 1,145 businesses. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will waive compounding and penal interest and charge only 8% simple interest until 31 Dec 2025, enabling firms to stabilize operations and safeguard thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, the state has also announced an upcoming e-auction of land worth USD 228M in thirteen towns, including Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, New Chandigarh, and Amritsar. Beginning 12 Mar, the Punjab Urban Development Authority and other agencies will offer residential, commercial, and institutional sites, collecting only 10% of the final bid price upfront and transferring possession upon a 25%. In another development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Panjab govt. to file a fresh affidavit addressing the high dropout rate among girl students. A bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu noted that previous replies focused on co-education schools without explaining the scarcity of higher secondary institutions specifically for girls between Patiala and Rajpura. The court had taken suo motu notice in July 2024 following a report on girls compelled to discontinue education due to the absence of nearby schools. Amid these educational concerns, Panjab has introduced psychometric testing for Class 10 girls, allocating USD 748K through its State Council of Educational Research and Training. Education minister Harjot Singh Bains says the initiative will benefit nearly 93,819 girls in govt. schools by 31 Mar 2025, helping them better understand their aptitudes and choose appropriate streams for Class 11. District Education Officers will oversee the program, with the goal of matching students’ strengths to future career paths and bridging the gap between private and govt. school resources (earlier coverage).

Comparison of data from the Report on Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023–24 with the 2011 Census data reveals that Panjab has undergone a demographic shift. Sikh children studying at foundational level—pre-primary to Class II in age group of 3–8 years—are an estimated 49%, which is 8.68% lower than the Sikh population of 57.69% in Panjab in the 2011 Census. Also, as per the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, Panjab’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is at 1.6, lower than the needed replacement rate of 2.1. There is yet another trend: bucking the rise in communalism across India where majoritarian Hindutva politics prosecutes Muslims, Panjab is embracing Muslim laborers from central India. Seasonal migration has been on the rise since the 1990s but now the workers are bringing their families with them too. There is also a concerted effort across Panjab to either revive Mosques from  before the 1947 Partition of India or build new ones. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s (Muslim group) state unit representative said on condition of anonymity that 165 such mosques have come up or been restored in the past five years. Data shows Panjab was home to nearly 252,688 Muslims in 1971, which rose to 535,489 in the 2011 Census. This change in social fabric has ignited a debate over whether migration is being fuelled by an acute labor shortage in the state or by politics because political parties in power are quick to register such migrants, and give them identity cards in order to enrol them as eligible voters. In the past, senior Indian National Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira has raised the issue and urged the Panjab Assembly to consider his private member bill seeking a law to stop non-Panjabi’s from becoming permanent residents of Panjab.

On 8 Mar, International Women’s Day, thousands of women farmers from Panjab gathered at Khanauri and Shambhu inter-state borders between Haryana and Panjab, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and marking one year of continuous protest. As the day-long protest march ended, protestors at Khanauri and Shambhu pledged to intensify their peaceful agitation. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said in the last 390 days of Farmers Protest 2.0, women’s participation has been critical. Meanwhile, across Panjab, numerous lesser-known women showcased resilience and entrepreneurship. At Bathinda, for instance, a team of Phulkari (embroidery style) artisans revived the dying craft, training 153 women in collaboration with an oil refinery’s community initiative. In Sangrur, Inderjeet Kaur began running a canteen at a district library, using a small government loan to serve homemade meals, demonstrating that livelihood support programs can boost confidence and self-reliance. Amarjeet Kaur of Barnala, rose above family tragedy to expand farmland from 23 to 37 acres; many of her workers initially hesitated to follow a woman’s instructions but over time she earned their respect. Tragically, the day also brought grim news from Mansa, where 49-year-old Communist Party of India activist and Punjab Istri Sabha (women’s wing) District President Manjeet Kaur Gamiwala was killed in a suspected property dispute. Family members claim her activism against drugs might have provoked her assailants, who reportedly used sharp weapons. Police said a case under murder charges has been registered, naming five accused; they are searching for those responsible. Farmer unions and women’s groups condemned the attack, lamenting the violent backlash that dedicated activists still face. Panjab’s women—whether protesting for MSP, reviving crafts, or starting new ventures—demonstrated resilience, revealing that the fight for economic fairness and personal safety continues in both rural and urban spheres (earlier coverage).