‘No group should claim to operate under Akal Takht patronage’: Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj after Sikh clergy meet

On December 2, 2024, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, had set up a committee for the reorganisation of the Shiromani Akali Dal. The committee is set to elect a new party president on August 11.

Gargaj’s statement came after a Sikh clergy meeting held at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where complaints received through letters from various Singh Sabhas, Sikh political groups, and religious organisations were discussed.

“These complaints raised concerns that certain factions were attempting to gain political advantage by claiming patronage from Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” Gargaj said, without taking any names.

“It was noted that on December 2, 2024, an order had been issued by the Panj Singh Sahibaan from the platform of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, instructing all Akali Dal factions to set aside their differences and unite. However, no meaningful outcome has been achieved in this regard so far,” Gargaj pointed out. “The spirit of the directive cannot be fulfilled if separate factions continue to exist,” he added.

Saying that Sikhs around the world are devoted to the Akal Takht, and that it “stands to protect the rights and interests of every Sikh”, Gargaj said, “After detailed deliberations, it is ordered that no group or committee should claim to operate under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”