Panjab Sikh Political Fiasco at Sri Akal Takht Sahib Heralds Globalization of Panthic Decision-Making Process.
Following the political demise of Shromani Akali Dal formed before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on 14 December1920, to safeguard Sikhi theo-political interests, the lost and divided Akali leadership is now seeking Panthic support through the Institution of the Takht. Meanwhile, there is continued reluctance by one family to give up control of SAD and centra Sikh institutions, including Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Recent events have shaken the Sikh world. Longer term consequences will be global and far-reaching. More so, in the light of the historic Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht of 2 December 2024 rejecting current Akali leadership. The Hukamnama has been accepted as the voice of the global Panth.
On 10 March 2025, formal appointment (called tajposhi) of the next Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Anandpur Sahib (same holder of two posts) took place in darkness in the absence of Guru Granth and Guru Panth. Most remarkable was that Bhai Kuldip Singh Gadgaj accepted the tajposhi surrounded by such an anti-Gurmat and Panth-divisive environment.
The Guru spoke from Darbar Sahib within two hours of the appointment and the reaction from the Panth was swift.
The Hukamnama from Darbar Sahib at 4.30 am on 10 March was with the opening Pankti: ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਮੁਹ ਫਿਰੇ ਸੇ ਬਧੇ ਦੁਖ ਸਹਾਹਿ ॥ Those who turn their faces away from the True Guru, suffer in sorrow and bondage. (Ang 645).
For Sikhs of faith, the Hukamnama was a verdict on the anti-Panthic elements within the Panth and the doubtful proceedings at Keshgarh Sahib, regarded as the birthplace of the Khalsa.
Following the historic Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht of 2 December, 2024, by sharp contrast, recent events have exposed the depth to which anti-Panthic forces in Panjab have sunk to dismantle Sikh institutions and tradition from within. Panthic reaction is collective and global. That should be seen as a positive outcome of this fiasco and a pointer to the major reforms which lie ahead. This phase will pass with the dawn of a reformation period. Such is the global Panthic awareness guided by true Sikhi principles.
Next generations in the Sikh diaspora are losing their appetite to follow Panjab religio-political plots. Yet, away from the toxic Panjab environment, many are rediscovering Sikhi in its pristine form. It will take time but reforms will follow. Instant social media networking facilitates evolutionary progress towards global Panthic forums and solutions. The ideal of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is in every Sikh heart and cannot be destroyed or taken over by anti-Panthic forces.
One reason for the sad state of the Panth today can be traced to the ambiguity regarding the qualifications, selection process and removal of Jathedars so that the sovereignty of Sri Akal Takht can be assured. For decades, that ambiguity has suited the political ambitions of one family in Panjab which has managed to capture the Panthic political party, Akali Dal, and the SGPC, and through that, the appointment and removal of the Jathedars, who, otherwise should serve the Guru and the Panth and none other. They should not sell themselves to serve another, for:
ਚਾਕਰੀ ਵਿਡਾਣੀ ਖਰੀ ਦੁਖਾਲੀ ਆਪੁ ਵੇਚਿ ਧਰਮੁ ਗਵਾਏ ॥
Working for strangers is very painful doing so, one sells self and moves away from the path of Dharam. (SGGS Ang 246).
There is emerging next generation collective Sikh leadership in the diaspora as Panjab Sikhs face own theo-political challenges.
Gurmukh Singh OBE
Principal Civil Servant retd (UK)
E-mail: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk
Sikh ideology articles: https://www.sikhmissionarysociety.org/