In Jathedars’ removal, Mann sees ‘badlakhori’
Referring to Akali Dal leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, the chief minister said, "You accepted all your mistakes and even undertook 'tankhah (religious punishment)'. Now, you say 'we will remove the jathedars'. It seems an act of badlakhori (vengeance)."
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Mann said it was ironic that the validity of the SGPC's executive committee, which removed the jathedars, expired around a decade ago. (Express Archives)Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Saturday accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of taking a “revenge” on Akal Takht and the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedars, saying their unceremonious removal by the SGPC seemed to be act of “badlakhori”.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Friday removed Giani Raghbir Singh from the post of Akal Takht Jathedar and Giani Sultan Singh as Jathedar of the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. It also appointed Sikh scholar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the new jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. He will additionally serve as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht.
Mann said it was ironic that the validity of the SGPC’s executive committee, which removed the jathedars, expired around a decade ago. He urged the Centre to immediately conduct the elections to the apex gurdwara body’s so that the state’s Sikh shrines could be freed from “modern-day mahants”.
Referring to Akali Dal leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, the chief minister said, “You accepted all your mistakes and even undertook ‘tankhah (religious punishment)’. Now, you say ‘we will remove the jathedars’. It seems an act of badlakhori (vengeance).”
In a statement later, Mann said the development had bruised the psyche of the entire Sikh community and added it would never forgive the Akali leadership. The trend of “picking and removing” jathedars from the pocket of these “rejected leaders” reflects the sorry state of affairs, he added. The Akalis had indulged in “theatrics by apologising for their sins”, he said.
Jathedars are highly revered by the entire Sikh community and this type of behaviour with them is unwarranted and undesirable, he further said.
NAPA too slams SGPC
The North American Punjabi Association too termed the dismissals of the jathedars a “blatant act of vengeance” by the SGPC leadership.
Association president Satnam Singh Chahal said the decision reflected the undue influence and power of a select few individuals within the SGPC’s working committee, further jeopardising the sanctity of these prestigious positions.
“These two jathedars held some of the highest spiritual roles in the Sikh community and their removal signifies that individuals in these positions are now subject to the whims of a few within the SGPC,” Chahal said.
“This has sparked great resentment and concern among the Sikh diaspora worldwide, especially those in North America,” he added.
Chahal emphasised the historical and spiritual significance of the Akal Takht and the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
These institutions carry immense responsibility for the faith and its followers, and their leadership should not be swayed by political motives, he said.
“This is an affront to the values of Sikhism and the centuries-old principles upon which the Sikh ‘panth (community)’ is built. The removal of these distinguished jathedars undermines the very foundation of the Sikh faith,” Chahal said.
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