Rise of ‘parallel’ jathedars

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 20

Akal Takht’s hukamnama exonerating Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on September 25, 2015, of a “blasphemous act”, and another one withdrawing it on October 16, 2015, following an uproar in the Sikh community, was the trigger that led to the creation of a “parallel” Akal Takht.

In November 2015, Sikh groups supported by Simranjit Singh Mann’s SAD (Amritsar) and the United Akal Dal held a congregation at Chabba village on the outskirts of Amritsar. Terming it ‘Sarbat Khalsa,’ they appointed Beant Singh assassination convict Jagtar Singh Hawara Akal Takht jathedar

As he was in prison, they appointed former MP and SAD (A) leader Dhian Singh Mand as “officiating jathedar.” Amrik Singh Ajnala and Baljit Singh Daduwal were appointed jathedars of Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib, respectively.

The SGPC, Akal Takht and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) rejected the appointments as “activity of anti-Panthic powers aimed at creating confusion among the community.”

(Also read: Rivals seek to loosen SAD hold on Sikh politics)

However, unmindful of official condemnation,  the rebel Sikh organisations took to passing edicts in the manner of high priests. They declared Operation Bluestar commander Lt Gen KS Brar (retd) and former Director General of Police of Punjab KPS Gill “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious conduct), and summoned them before “their” Akal Takht. Another declaration was withdrawal of the titles of “Fakhr-e-Qaum” and “Panth Rattan” bestowed by Akal Takht  on the then state Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. 

Two days later, on Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) in 2015, the first ‘parallel’ address in the Golden Temple complex was read out by Mand, just 30 minutes after Giani Gurbachan Singh concluded his address from Darshani Deori.

Even as the “parallel” jathedars struggle to find mass acceptance, they are often acknowledged as Sikh leaders who have fallen out with the SAD ‘establishment’.

Chhota Ghallughara Gurdwara trust  chief Master Johar Singh,  a member of the United Akal Dal and a staunch rival of the Badals, has acknowledged their  authority.

Similarly, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee head Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who was excommunicated by Akal Takht on July 16, 2014, appeared before the “parallel” clergy. It is a different matter that he also submitted a clarification to Akal Takht.

Mand has also summoned former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur on November 7 regarding her conviction in the murder case of her daughter. She is not likely to show up.