Latest news with #Gargaj
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Akal Takht seeks Jul 23 to be declared Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day
Amritsar, Jul 23 (PTI) Akal Takht's officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, on Wednesday called upon the Centre and the Punjab government to declare July 23 Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day. He said that on this day in 1914, under the leadership of Ghadar revolutionary Baba Gurdit Singh, a large group of Punjabis, mostly Sikhs, seeking a better future, arrived in Canada by ship. But in a grave violation of human rights, they were turned away, he said. On the 111th anniversary of the forced return of the ship from Canada in 1914, Gargaj said the episode has now been officially recognised in Canadian cities, such as Surrey and Vancouver, as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day. He hailed the recognition as a significant step toward acknowledging historical truth and a proud moment for the Sikh community. The day commemorates a major struggle against racism, led by Baba Gurdit Singh, who in 1914 founded the Guru Nanak Steamship Company. He chartered a Japanese vessel from the Komagata Maru Company, renamed it Guru Nanak Jahaz, and challenged Canada's then racist immigration laws, he said. Gargaj said the journey from Hong Kong to Canada was 'deeply spiritual," marked by the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, Akand Panth Sahib, and the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) on board. Of the 377 passengers, 341 were Sikhs. He expressed regret that in India, history books still refer to the ship as Komagata Maru, despite Baba Gurdit Singh naming it Guru Nanak Jahaz, as he mentioned so in his autobiographical book 'Guru Nanak Jahaz' also. He appealed to universities, academic institutions, and gurdwara management bodies across India to correct the name of the ship to Guru Nanak Jahaz. PTI JMS CHS VN VN view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
Killed in WiFi tower's fall, minor had gone to ‘faith healer' for wheat allergy
Patiala: A 16-year-old boy, Rajinder Singh, died Sunday after a Wi-Fi tower fell during a religious congregation at Sidhuwal village in Patiala district. The family has accused the organisers of negligence. Rajinder, a resident of Khusropur village, sustained critical injuries when the tower fell and later died at a hospital. The family claimed that the tower's structural support was weakened following the removal of supporting wires by a landowner recently, a fact they allege was known but concealed by the organiser of the religious gathering. On Tuesday, the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, visited the bereaved family to offer condolences. During his visit, the family alleged that members of a religious community had influenced them by promising "miraculous healing" for Rajinder's wheat allergy if they converted. Patiala SSP Varun Sharma said a case of causing death by negligence had been registered against those responsible, and an investigation was ongoing. Authorities are probing both the tower's collapse and the family's allegations of manipulation under the pretext of faith healing. Gargaj said he personally sought details of the circumstances that led the family into the trap of such fraudulent individuals. "They came in touch with fake pastors who claimed to cure the condition through religious rituals. With hope for their son's recovery, the family began attending these gatherings, unaware that negligence in arrangements would one day lead to his untimely death. The family had remained firm in Sikh faith and Guru Granth Sahib, but the father of deceased was misled by false promises of healing, leading them toward these fraudulent religious circles," he said. Gargaj also spoke with the SSP, asking him to take strict action under appropriate sections against those responsible and justice for the suffering family. To offer spiritual support, the Jathedar recited Gurbani and prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for the family to accept divine will. "Everyone has the right to practice and propagate their religion, but deceiving others under the guise of religion is intolerable," said the jathedar. 'Some in Christian community misusing religion' Gargaj said some individuals within the Christian community were misusing religion for personal gain, and their leaders should take responsibility to stop them. "In the past, a joint understanding had been reached between Sikh and Christian religious leaders at Akal Takht. It was mutually agreed that the term 'crusade' would not be used in Punjab for religious outreach. At that time, representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the United Christian Front Punjab, and the Evangelical Society participated in the discussion. Catholic representatives submitted a written statement at Akal Takht, declaring that the Catholic Church prohibits the use of the word crusade. They clarified that those who use such terms are not church members but fake godmen exploiting religion for monetary gain, actions that go against Christ and the Bible," said Gargaj. MSID: 122514611 413
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh temporal seats reconcile, uphold Akal Takht's primacy; religious rift ends in show of unity
Amritsar: A significant religious dispute within Sikhism has been resolved after two prominent seats of Sikh authority, the Akal Takht in Amritsar and Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib in Patna, agreed to withdraw their rival edicts and reaffirmed the supremacy of the Akal Takht. The reconciliation brings to an end months of tensions that saw each Takht declare religious misconduct — known as 'tankhah' — against prominent Sikh leaders, including Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the respective Jathedars (head priests) of the two takhts. Addressing the media on Monday, Akal Takht's officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, said the issue was resolved in the interest of Panthic (community) unity and the wider Sikh sangat (congregation). A meeting of five senior Sikh high priests, including granthis from Sri Harimandir Sahib — Giani Rajdeep Singh, Giani Sultan Singh, and Giani Kewal Singh — and the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Bhai Tek Singh, was held at the Akal Takht secretariat to address the concerns surrounding Takht Patna Sahib. Gargaj claimed to have received a formal request on May 12 from the Patna Sahib Management Committee, seeking a review of earlier decisions and pledging full submission to the Akal Takht's authority. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Following deliberations, the high priests amended previous resolutions passed on May 21 and July 5, which had contributed to the standoff. Simultaneously, the Panj Piaras Singh Sahiban (collective leadership) at Takht Patna Sahib also met on Monday and accepted Akal Takht's supremacy formally, withdrawing their own conflicting declarations. Gargaj confirmed receipt of the formal resolution, describing the development as a reaffirmation of Sikh unity and respect for institutional tradition.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Akal Takht, Takht Patna Sahib resolve differences as edicts declaring members 'tankhaiya' were withdrawn
In the letter the management of Takht Patna Sahib had expressed full submission to the supreme authority of Akal Takht and pledged continued allegiance in the future. They stated that for the 'panthic' unity and larger interests of the Khalsa, they had requested Gargaj to review the decisions and demanded more time to present their side. To deliberate on the contents of the letter, a meeting of the Sikh clergy was convened on Monday. In this, earlier resolutions passed during meetings of five high priests on May 21 and July 5 were reconsidered in light of panthic unity, the broader interests of the community and necessary amendments were made accordingly. Gargaj further said that simultaneously, the Takht Patna Sahib also convened a meeting and accepted the supreme authority of Akal Takht. "They decided to withdraw the resolutions passed on May 21 and July 5 by Takht Patna Sahib," he said. Gargaj announced that the five high priests at Akal Takht, on May 21, had passed a decree stopping 'panthic' services of Head Granthi of Takht Patna Sahib Bhai Baldev Singh and additional head Granthi Gurdial Singh, stood cancelled today. Former Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar was directed to withdraw the case filed against the management committee of Takht Patna Sahib. He ordered the president and general secretary of the management committee of Takht Patna Sahib to pay all pending dues of Gauhar. Gargaj added that it is heartening that the recent discord between the two Takhts has now been completely resolved through mutual cooperation. He further said that he will soon visit Takht Patna Sahib and pay obeisance.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Order investigation into ‘fake encounters': Jathedar to guv
Amritsar L Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj urged Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria to order a probe into alleged fake encounters by Punjab Police. Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria being honoured by Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj at Anandpur Sahib on Friday. The governor, who visited Anandpur Sahib on Friday, was honoured with a 'siropa' (robe of honour), shawl and a photo of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, by Giani Gargaj, who is also the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee member (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla. The governor, after paying obeisance at the Takht Kesgarh Sahib Gurdwara, met with jathedar Gargaj, who pointed out the growing pattern of alleged police encounters involving suspects, particularly in connection with the murder of Abohar businessman. Giani Gargaj stressed that such incidents had raised questions about the legitimacy of these encounters. 'Several encounters in the past seven months follow a disturbingly similar pattern — suspects allegedly firing at the police during interrogation, leading to their death in retaliation. Punishment should be left to the courts, not the police,' said Gargaj, calling for an immediate end to extrajudicial killings. The jathedar noted the recent killings of two youths linked to the Abohar murder case, whose families have claimed the encounters were 'fake' and are now seeking justice. Gargaj reiterated that these alleged practices should be curbed to prevent Punjab from turning into a 'police state.' In response, Kataria listened attentively to the concerns raised by the jathedar and assured that appropriate action would be taken to address the issue, according to a spokesperson. The Jathedar also took the opportunity to raise other pressing issues affecting the state, including the proposed construction of a paper factory near Chamkaur Sahib. He warned that the factory would pose a significant environmental risk to the sacred site, associated with the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's elder sons. On a spiritual note, Giani Gargaj highlighted the need for nationwide and global recognition of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, emphasising the Guru's principles of human rights and religious freedom. He called on both the Punjab and central governments to collaborate with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for meaningful commemorations. The jathedar also urged the governor to support the creation of stricter laws to prevent the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, which holds a unique and living status for Sikhs. He called for special legal protection for the holy scripture and harsher punishment for any acts of disrespect or desecration.
