Akal Takht Notice to Bibi Jagir Kaur Triggers Controversy

On 26 Sep, the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, Sikh Seat of Justice and Authority; AT) issued a notice to former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, seeking clarification on the death of her daughter 24 years ago. In Dec 2018, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Kaur of illegal confinement of her daughter, 19-year-old Harpreet Kaur, and forcing her abortion. In 2012, the trial court dropped murder charges. On 3 Oct, Kaur called the complaint against her baseless and politically motivated. AT’s notice has sparked controversy within Sikh circles. SAD Sudhar Lehar (rebel faction of SAD) of which Kaur is a part, alleges that SAD workers filed these complaints to exploit Kaur’s personal tragedy for political gain. The timing of the notice is contentious because AT is still handling a complaint against SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, whom it has already declared a tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) (SDW Vol 2 Issue 36, Story 1). SAD Sudhar Lehar convener Gurpartap Singh Wadala criticized the nature and timing of the complaints, arguing that AT should not be used as a platform for personal grievances and that such actions set a dangerous precedent. Former SGPC general secretary and current member Kiranjot Kaur opposed the notice, asserting that the AT should only address community affairs and not personal issues. Sikh group Dal Khalsa has written to the AT jathedar (leader), urging him to withdraw the notice issued ‘in violation of the maryada (code of conduct) and traditions.’ 100-yr old Sikh institution Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said, ‘In the last 300 years it is the first case when a Sikh woman has been summoned using personal allegations.’