Global Sikh Council urges unity, affirms Akal Takht's supreme authority
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Lady Singh (Dr Kanwaljit Kaur), President of GSC, informed on Wednesday that regional Takhats, because of their regional jurisdiction, cannot have anything other than regional jurisdiction over local issues.
Citing the example of declaring tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President
, Kanwaljit said Sukhbir is not a resident of Patna or Bihar, and the alleged allegations against him are not of a regional but national nature.
So, he, his party, and his actions are clearly outside the jurisdiction of this regional Takhat, she added.
Notably, in the recent past, Takht Sri Patna Sahib declared Sukhbir a tankhaiya, following which Akal Takht declared Patna Sahib's edict null and void. In the past, Akal Takht barred Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar and head 'granthi' Giani Baldev Singh and additional head 'granthi' Gurdial Singh from performing 'panthic' duties.
In retaliation, Takht Patna Sahib declared the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gragaj, and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh 'tankhaiya' and also summoned Sukhbir to appear before them, but he didn't.
Claiming that GSC encompasses member organisations from across the globe, she said that they are of a unanimous view that Akal Takht holds exclusive jurisdiction over Panthic decisions.
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'Regional Takhts have to function in coordination with and under the leadership of Akal Takht, which remains the central institution of Sikh governance and unity under the 'Panj Pardhani' system,' said she, while adding that it is tragic that a revered Takht like Patna Sahib is being exploited by political proxies to fragment Sikh unity and bypass established religious conventions at their behest.
However, she didn't identify the political proxies fragmenting Sikh unity.
'GSC has urged all Sikh institutions and sangat to recognise only Akal Takht's supremacy, and we have also asked the SGPC to take action against erring committee members who are undermining Sikh sovereignty,' said Kanwaljit Kaur while also asking the Patna Sahib committee to introspect.
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