'Akal Takht' Reverses Patna 'Takht' Decision; Badal Detained

On 5 Jul, Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Throne, PT) declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal a tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct). The decision came after Badal failed to appear before the Takht despite being summoned twice. The reason for Badal being declared tankhaiya is a 21 May edict by Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT) when AT barred Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar (leader)-cum-head granthi (hymns’ reciter) Giani Baldev Singh and additional head granthi Gurdial Singh from participating in community services. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami termed the decision beyond the jurisdiction of Patna Takht (PT) . He said the traditions and customs of the Khalsa Panth (Sikhs Collective) are meant to resolve community issues, not to create crises within the community. He said that undermining the AT's supremacy, the supreme temporal seat of the faith, is inappropriate, and such actions could lead to discord within the Sikh community. AT Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj condemned PT’s actions and overturned the decision to name Badal a tankhaiya; He said the decision was a direct violation of the 2003 edict, signed by jathedars of all five Takhts. The edict emphasized that while the regional Takhts have jurisdiction over local religious, social, and cultural matters, only AT can make decisions on Panth-wide issues. However, PT has dismissed the AT orders as null and void. Earlier, on 2 Jul, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, the Panjab Police stopped Badal's convoy and detained him and other senior party leaders near Burail Jail ahead of his address at a workers rally. While the SAD leadership maintained their visit was 'purely spiritual', the police pointed to heightened security concerns due to the court appearance of senior SAD leader and Badal’s brother-in-law, Bikram Singh Majithia. Badal accused the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government of imposing an 'undeclared emergency' in Panjab. Meanwhile, Majithia’s custody has been extended by 14 days (earlier coverage).