Akal Takht deliberates gurdwara issue in Waraich village

The Akal Takht has taken cognisance of a unique issue concerning the preservation of a gurdwara building in Waraich village, which is reportedly at risk due to excavation work being carried out nearby by the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB).

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While Dera officials maintain that their activities are not damaging the structure—claiming it is not a gurdwara but a dharamshala—local Sikh organisations and residents assert otherwise. The Dera purchased the land, including the premises of the disputed structure, in 2011. According to Dera representatives, the dharamshala was constructed in 1996 for the Harijan community, and villagers began selling land to the Dera around 2005.

The Lok Bhalai Insaf Welfare Society, which advocates on Sikh Panthic issues, has approached the Akal Takht to intervene. Baldev Singh Sirsa, president of the society, stated that over the years, the Dera has acquired properties surrounding the gurdwara and recently began excavation work around the religious structure. Concerned about potential damage, the NGO appealed to the Takht to take immediate action.

Sirsa also referred to a letter dated August 9, 2021, written by a group of Waraich village residents—including Balwinder Singh and Ravel Singh—addressed to the Akal Takht. The letter claimed that the gurdwara belonged to the Majhabi (Scheduled Caste) community, most of whom had migrated from the village, leaving the Gurdwara without caretakers. The residents had requested the relocation of the Guru Granth Sahib and the Nishan Sahib to another site. The then Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, forwarded the complaint to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which subsequently halted the relocation process. However, Gurcharan Singh, the current Granthi of the gurdwara, maintains that all religious practices continue to be performed regularly at the site.

A spokesperson for the Akal Takht stated that the Secretariat is currently deliberating on the matter and will announce a decision soon.