A special ardas offered at Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday may have been presented as a purely religious gesture, but its timing and political backdrop have opened a wider debate on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) evolving engagement with Sikh institutions and the Sikh community.The prayers, conducted on Thursday morning by the Takht priests, coincided with the Prime Minister’s birthday celebrations being observed as Seva Diwas and the launch of BJP-sponsored month-long nationwide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.Dr Vijay Satbir Singh, administrator of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Board, said the special ardas sought divine blessings for the Prime Minister’s long life, good health and continued service to the nation.“The special ardas ceremony was organised this morning, but it has no political meaning,” he said.Yet, for many observers, the significance of the event lies not merely in the prayer itself but in the broader political context surrounding it.Former SGPC general secretary Kiranjot Kaur believes that while Sikh institutions have traditionally offered prayers for individuals irrespective of religious affiliation, the symbolism of conducting a special ardas for the Prime Minister at one of Sikhism’s five Takhts cannot be viewed in isolation.“Cultivating relationships with Sikh religious institutions, especially through the Sikh Takhts, carries immense weight in Sikh diaspora politics,” she said.Her remarks reflect a lingering perception within sections of Sikh leadership that BJP is attempting to deepen its engagement with Sikh institutions after the end of its long-standing alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and amid efforts to expand its independent political presence in Punjab.“There is no harm in conducting ardas for a person belonging to another faith. However, this particular event appears to be part of a larger outreach effort as BJP seeks to establish its own political footing in Punjab ahead of the Assembly election,” she said.As part of a broader Sikh outreach over the past decade, the Modi-led BJP government has consistently undertaken initiatives aimed at strengthening ties with the Sikh community. These include the opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, the institution of Veer Baal Diwas in honour of Guru Gobind Singh’s Sahibzadas, commemorative events related to Sikh Gurus, and facilitation measures for pilgrims travelling to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib.Backdrop of the Hazur Sahib Act controversyEarlier this year, Sikh organisations mounted protests after the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a proposal to repeal the 70-year-old Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956, and replace it with a new law. Though the government subsequently kept the proposal in abeyance following widespread opposition, the episode created unease among Sikh institutions across the country.A senior SGPC functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity, linked the birthday Ardas to the fallout of that controversy.“The Sikh community was deeply upset over the attempt to amend the Takht Act. This gesture appears aimed at reassuring Sikhs and projecting concern for their sentiments and wellbeing to win them over ahead of the Punjab election,” the official said.However, not everyone sees political motives behind the ceremony.Prof Harpal Singh, former faculty member at Sikh National College, Banga, argued that the religious significance of the ardas should not be overshadowed by political speculation.“Inclusiveness is an integral part of Sikh philosophy. Keeping aside any political interpretation, public prayers for the wellbeing of an individual reflect the Sikh tradition of wishing welfare for all humanity. Conducting an ardas at the Takht appears to be more spiritual than political. If a party takes the lead in taking the path of harmony between two religions, it should be a welcome sign,” he said.