'Akal Takht' Pardons Dhadrianwale, 'Takhts' Challenge Each Other’s Authority

On 21 May, five years after being first summoned by Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, AT), Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale appeared before the AT and pledged to abide by the Sikh principles and traditions. After deliberations, the Panj Piare (beloved-enthroned)—AT acting Jathedar (leader) Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) granthi (hymns’ reciter) Giani Rajdeep Singh, Takht (Throne) Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Joginder Singh and AT's granthi Giani Gurbakshish Singh—accepted Dhadrianwale's apology and allowed him to preach Sikhism solely in the light of keeping the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib (scripture and charter) and Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct). The AT ordered the suspension of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Gurdwara Baba Buddha Ji, Hamilton, Canada, over serious allegations of harassment against Bibi Parminderpal Kaur, widow of Sikh martyr Dr. Gurpreet Singh, a native of Ludhiana. Sant Singh, President of the Gurdwara has also been summoned and asked to appear before AT. AT also asked the entire management panel of the Takht Patna Sahib to appear over non-compliance of its orders. In response, the Panj Piaras of Takht Patna Sahib held AT and Takht Damdama Sahib temporal heads tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) for meddling in its affairs. They have also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal as well. The AT Secretariat, Amritsar, has now ordered the Takht Patna Sahib management to withdraw this decision or face stern action. The statement said: ‘According to Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the highest among the five Takhts, and its decisions and orders are binding on all Takht Sahibs and the entire Sikh community.’ These developments indicate the shallowness with which institutions are wielding time-honored traditions and misusing them as labels, lowering their own sanctity. Meanwhile, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has elected Jagdish Singh Jhinda as their president. Later, Jhinda announced the committee’s 11-member executive body—five office-bearers and six executive body members (earlier coverage).