The Panth is grappling with a caller situation aft Takht Sri Patna Sahib successful Bihar connected Saturday pronounced Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) main Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of spiritual misconduct) for failing to look earlier it and ignoring its directions, a determination that was overturned successful the evening by Akal Takht, the highest temporal assemblage of Sikhism.
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Why has Takht Patna Sahib declared Sukhbir ‘tankhaiya’?
Sukhbir was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of spiritual misconduct) by the 5 precocious priests astatine Takht Sri Patna Sahib for repeatedly ignoring their summons. The precocious priests had accused Sukhbir of interfering successful the organisation’s interior affairs. He was summoned connected May 21, 2025, to respond to the allegations. Despite being fixed 3 opportunities, including a 20-day hold connected the petition of SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Sukhbir failed to look earlier the 5 precocious priests. The edict issued from Patna stated that his lack confirmed his engagement successful actions that challenged the Takht’s authorization and violated its constitution and bylaws.
What is Akal Takht’s absorption to Takht Patna Sahib edict?
Akal Takht has rejected the pronouncement and alternatively declared 3 of the 5 Takht Sri Patna Sahib precocious priests ‘tankhaiya’, directing them to clarify their presumption wrong 15 days.
The determination followed a gathering of 5 precocious priests astatine Akal Takht passing a solution that each 5 Takhts are ineffable and revered by Sikhs globally, but the Gurmat contented recognises Akal Takht arsenic the last authorization connected panthic matters. Akal Takht besides declared Bhai Gurdial Singh, further caput granthi astatine Takht Patna Sahib, arsenic ‘tankhaiya’ for allegedly sowing discord and defying Akal Takht directives. Two members of the Takht Patna Sahib absorption committee — Harpal Singh Johal and Dr Gurmeet Singh — were besides declared ‘tankhaiya’ for allegedly engaging successful media campaigns and conspiracies that challenged the sanctity of Akal Takht. They person been directed to look earlier the Takht and question forgiveness.
Additionally, Akal Takht has summoned the full absorption committee of Takht Patna Sahib — including president Jagjot Singh Sohi; elder vice-president Lakhwinder Singh; inferior vice-president Gurvinder Singh; wide caput Inderjeet Singh; caput Harbans Singh; and members Gobind Singh Longowal, Raja Singh and Mahinderpal Singh — to contiguous their stance wrong 15 days. Failure to comply volition invitation strict enactment successful accordance with panthic traditions.
What is SGPC’s presumption connected the edict?
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami rejected the edict, calling it beyond the jurisdiction of the Bihar-based Takht. He warned that specified actions could deepen divisions wrong Sikh institutions and emphasised that panthic matters indispensable beryllium addressed nether the authorization of Akal Takht, the highest temporal spot of the Sikhs. Dhami called for dialog to resoluteness the contented alternatively than unilateral declarations.
What is the inheritance to this conflict?
Tensions betwixt Takht Patna Sahib and Akal Takht person been simmering for years. In December 2022, the Akal Takht directed the Patna Sahib absorption to subject 2 of its precocious priests — Bhai Baldev Singh and Bhai Gurdial Singh — for allegedly challenging Akal Takht’s authority. These directives were ne'er implemented. The Akal Takht Secretariat besides raised concerns implicit the behaviour of definite granthis astatine Patna Sahib, citing complaints of anti-Gurmat behaviour, including allegations involving their household members and idiosyncratic habits.
This is not the archetypal clip Sukhbir has been declared tankhaiya. On August 30, 2024, 5 precocious priests led by past Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh issued a akin edict against him for arguable decisions taken during his tenure arsenic Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and SAD president. Sukhbir underwent spiritual penance by serving arsenic a ‘sewadar’ astatine the Golden Temple, during which helium narrowly survived an assassination effort by Khalistani militant Narayan Singh Chaura.
What are the options earlier Sukhbir?
SAD spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema reiterated that the Akal Takht’s authorization is ultimate successful spiritual matters. He stated that Sukhbir would abide by the Akal Takht’s decision, not that of Takht Patna Sahib. Cheema besides pointed retired that the May 21 edict from Patna Sahib had declared 3 different elder jathedars — Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Baba Tek Singh and others — arsenic ‘tankhaiya’, yet nary enactment was taken to enforce it, raising questions astir its legitimacy.
SGPC subordinate Kiranjot Kaur said without questioning the merit of the summoning, Sukhbir should look earlier the Takht to clarify his position. He should uphold the dignity of the instauration and firmly talk up if helium thinks helium is being unfairly summoned.
Can Akal Takht intervene successful this matter?
Yes. According to Section 79 of the Constitution and Bylaws of Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the Akal Takht holds last authorization connected spiritual matters, arsenic it is the temporal spot of the Sikhs. Its decisions are binding crossed each Takhts. It retains the powerfulness to adjudicate specified disputes and could measurement successful to resoluteness the existent standoff.
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