SGPC: Norms to be framed for appointment of Takht Jathedars

Amid resentment brewing over the arbitrary removal of Takht jathedars, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has announced that policies regarding the qualification, appointment, service span, jurisdiction and relieving of Takht Jathedars would be framed.

It has been decided that the principle of “one person, one position” will also be applied while appointing the Jathedars. This implies that grant the ‘officiating’ or ‘additional’ charge of Takht would be omitted in future.

In another significant development, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also hinted at appointing a regular Jathedar of the Akal Takht.

At present, the newly appointed jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has been entrusted with the ‘additional’ charge of Akal Takht after dismissing the services of Giani Raghbir Singh, who at present continue to occupy the position of head granthi of the Golden Temple.

Voices clamour from several Sikh quarters against the ‘unceremonious’ removal of Giani Raghbir Singh (Akal Takht), Giani Sultan Singh (Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib) and Giani Harpreet Singh (Takht Sri Damdama Sahib) by the SGPC recently.

Incidentally, the trio were part of the five high priests’ panel that had pronounced ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) on December 2 to Sukhbir Singh Badal and other ‘guilty’ Akali leaders who were ministers or core committee members during the party’s tenure between 2007-2017 when controversial decisions were taken which had dented the Panthic interests.

It is learnt that the SGPC was into framing norms for Akal Takht Jathedar, followed by other Takht jathedars.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that in view of the current circumstances and Jathedars’ respect, the opinion of the representatives of the prominent Sikh organisations, sampradayas and intellectuals would be solicited before taking any decision on the appointment or removal of Takht Jathedars.

“A high-level committee would be constituted for framing the rules regarding the qualification, appointment, jurisdiction and retirement of the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib soon. Under this framework, a new appointment for the vacant regular position of Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib will soon be made in consultation with Panthic sampradayas and organisations,” he said.

Dhami categorically stated that the retirement of Jathedars serving at the Takhts will be conducted in a respectful and honourable manner. “Efforts will also be made to honour the Jathedars who have been relieved of their duties in recent times, in recognition of their services,” he said.

A resolution for Takht Jathedars’ policy matters will be presented in the upcoming budget session of the SGPC. “It will also be ensured that the principle of "one person, one position" is implemented for these respected positions of Jathedars,” he said.

Dhami stated that adversarial forces were already making every effort to weaken Sikh institutions and Sikh power. If the community did not project unity, anti-Sikh forces would continue to succeed in their motives, he said.