Worried at sacking of jathedars, says Sikh community in Jammu

Several Sikh organizations on Tuesday raised concerns over recent sacking of jathedars of three Takhts, including that of Shri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.

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The District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC), Jammu, Panthak Talmel Sangathan, Sikh Progressive Front, Bhai Gurdas Seva Society and other social and religious organizations convened a press conference in Jammu to register their protest over the developments.

DGPC vice president Balvinder Singh, Secretary Surjit Singh and member Balvinder Singh among others denounced the “politically motivated dismissal of the revered Jathedars”.

The leaders of the community proposed several measures to address the issue and safeguard the sanctity and supremacy of the Takhts. They emphasised the urgent need to revisit the rules and regulations governing the appointment of jathedars, including their eligibility criteria.

To preserve the independence of the Takhts, they called for an end to the interference of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). They stressed that jathedars must be allowed to act freely in accordance with Sikh doctrine, without any political pressure.