Sikh institutions clash as Patna Sahib and Akal Takht trade insults and Sukhbir Badal get involved.
The leaders of two Takhts in Punjab were found guilty of religious wrongdoing by the Patna Sahib after the highest Sikh authority, Akal Takht, banned its leadership. In 2008, the two bodies had also clashed.
A significant conflict has erupted within the Sikh religious hierarchy, with the Takht Sri Patna Sahib declaring two prominent jathedars, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj (acting jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat) and Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula (head of Takht Damdama Sahib), as "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct). This move came after the two jathedars allegedly challenged the Patna Sahib's constitution, interfered with its management, and issued edicts against its decisions.
This declaration by Patna Sahib was a direct counter to earlier actions by the Akal Takht and two other Punjab-based takhts. Hours prior, these three takhts had lifted the excommunication ban on former Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar (who was previously removed over embezzlement allegations but later cleared by an internal investigation) and, controversially, imposed bans on the sitting Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Baldev Singh and another priest, Gurdial Singh. The Akal Takht justified its decision against Baldev Singh by citing his alleged lack of skills and refusal to comply with directives, asserting its authority under Section 79 of Patna Sahib's Constitution.
In a further escalation, the Takht Sri Patna Sahib also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal, accusing him of interfering in its functioning and directing him to appear within 10 days. This accusation links to broader allegations of political influence in Sikh institutions, a charge previously leveled against the BJP.
The escalating dispute stems from ongoing embezzlement accusations between the current and former Patna Sahib jathedars (Baldev Singh and Gohar) and highlights a deep-seated conflict over the overlapping powers of the various Takhts. The timing is particularly challenging for Akal Takht's acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh, who is already striving to establish his authority amidst factionalism and political appointment allegations. This isn't the first such clash; a similar dispute in 2008 saw the then Patna Sahib jathedar claim supremacy over the Akal Takht.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed concern over the negative message this internal conflict sends to the Sikh community, advocating for mutual dialogue and a prompt resolution. Despite the summons, the political impact on Sukhbir Badal is expected to be minimal, given his past experience with similar religious punishments.
