Latest news with #GianiGargaj
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.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Row after Sukhbir declared ‘tankhaiya': Golden Temple head granthi extends support to jathedar Giani Gargaj
Amid the ongoing confrontation with 'panj pyaras' (five beloved ones of Guru) of Takht Patna Sahib, estranged head granthi of the Golden Temple Giani Raghbir Singh on Sunday extended support to Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the acting jathedar of Akal Takht. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj paying obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple in presence of head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh in Amritsar on Sunday. (HT Photo) A day after denouncing the Takht Patna Sahib 'panj pyaras' move to declare Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for failing to appear before them, Giani Gargaj paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple during presence of Giani Raghbir Singh. Giani Raghbir Singh, ever since being removed as Akal Takht jathedar unceremoniously a few months ago by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive committee, has avoided meeting his successor. However, on Sunday he wished Giani Gargaj with folded hands when the latter paid obeisance. He also presented Giani Gargaj with a 'siropa' (robe of honour), garland of flowers and prasad. In an official communique, a spokesperson of the Akal Takht secretariat termed this gesture as an act of backing and cooperating with the acting jathedar on the matter of Akal Takht's supremacy. The official statement claimed that during the meeting of Sikh clergy presided over by Giani Gargaj at Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, over the issue, Giani Raghbir Singh extended his support by sending his junior granthis—Giani Sultan Singh, Giani Rajdeep Singh and Giani Kewal Singh—for the meeting. Giani Raghbir Singh has been unhappy since he was removed by the SAD-controlled gurdwara body allegedly in wake of December 2 edict of the Sikh clergy led by him, that called for change of the party leadership, comprising Sukhbir Singh Badal, and constituted a panel to reorganise the party, besides stripping Sukhbir's father and former CM Parkash Singh Badal title of 'Panth Rattan-Fakhr-e-Qaum'. On Saturday, Sikh clergy from Akal Takht rejected the Patna Sahib's edict that declared Sukhbir tankhaiya for not responding to their summons. Earlier, the Bihar-based Sikh temporal seat had declared Giani Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Tek Singh Dhanaula tankhaiya.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Week on, Giani Gargaj addresses two events without disruption
After skipping address at the Akal Takht during the event organised to observe the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6 amid opposition from Harnam Singh Dhumma-led Damdami Taksal, acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has delivered his speeches at the highest Sikh temporal seats twice without any disruption during the key events. Before June 6, Dhumma had announced that they would not let Giani Gargaj deliver his 'sandesh' (message) during the event, citing that they do not accept him as a 'jathedar'. To avert the clash, Giani Gargaj skipped the address though he raised issues concerning the community in the 'ardas (prayer)'. After a week, the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru of the Sikhs and Akal Takht's founder, was celebrated at the highest Sikh temporal seat. As acting jathedar of the Takht, Giani Gargaj delivered his speech without any hassle. On Monday, the foundation day of the Akal Takht was celebrated there. Again, Giani Gargaj addressed the devotees on the occasion. He faced no opposition during these events. However, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who has proximity with Dhumma, did not attend both the events. Days after 'Panj Pyare' of Takht Patna Sahib challenged the edict issued by the Sikh clergy at Akal Takht, Giani Gargaj put light on the history of the highest Sikh temporal seat to prove that Akal Takht is supreme and no can challenge its supremacy, while addressing on Monday. Jathedar Gargaj particularly appealed to Sikh youth, warning that efforts are being made today to disconnect them from their Guru through moral decay. He urged every individual to recognise their responsibility and ensure that Sikh youth remain connected to the faith. He also condemned the vulgarity being spread over social media, days after a social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur Bhabi, was murdered for allegedly spreading vulgarity.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Former Damdami Taksal spokesperson questions narrative on June 6 Ardas and Jathedar appointment
Amritsar: A war of words has erupted within Sikh religious circles after the Akal Takht's officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, was accused of bypassing a long-standing tradition by not delivering the customary June 6 'sandesh' — a formal message to the Sikh community on the anniversary of Operation Bluestar , a 1984 military operation to smoke out holed up terrorists from the Golden Temple. Former Damdami Taksal spokesperson Sarchand Singh has pushed back against attempts by the Akal Takht secretariat and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to suggest that Giani Gargaj's 'sandesh' was embedded within his 'Ardas' (prayer), arguing that this kind of claims reflect a basic misunderstanding of Sikh religious practice. "An Ardas is a humble supplication to the Guru; a 'sandesh' is a directive message to the 'quom' (community)," Sarchand Singh said. "There was nothing new or directive in this year's Ardas compared to previous commemorations. To equate the two is misleading." The criticism follows mounting scrutiny over Giani Gargaj's role and legitimacy. Sarchand Singh expressed dismay that Gargaj — who was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Panj Pyare at Takht Patna Sahib — was given a 'Siropa' (robe of honour) reportedly at the Akal Takht, despite Sikh tradition dictating that a 'tankhaiya' must first complete prescribed penance and receive formal absolution before being honoured at any Takht. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Sarchan Singh said: "Offering a Siropa to someone declared tankhaiya without due absolution sets a dangerous precedent. This violates religious protocol directly." The controversy also reignites long-standing debates over the SGPC's authority to appoint Jathedars. While acknowledging that the SGPC holds administrative power over Takht appointments, Taksal's former spokesperson asserted that this kind of decisions lacked spiritual legitimacy unless endorsed by broader Sikh institutions. He said: "The identity of the Panth cannot be upheld if Sikh sects, Nihang groups, and Sabha societies are excluded from the process. Jathedars are being appointed like SGPC employees, diminishing the stature and sanctity of these positions. The dispute highlights deeper fissures within Sikh religious governance, raising fresh questions about accountability, tradition, and the role of representative consent in decisions affecting the global Sikh community. MSID:: 121695262 413 |
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Bluestar anniversary: To avert clash, jathedar delivers ‘sandesh during ardas
The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, with the Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering 'sandesh' (message) to the community during 'ardas' (prayer) to avert any clash. Instead of jathedar, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami felicitated the kin of Sikh leaders with 'siropa' (robe of honour) killed during the army action in June 1984. This is the first time in 25 years (1999) since the event became an annual affair, that a jathedar has not delivered a direct address to the community from the Akal Takht, thus avoiding any confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and some Nihang organisations, who had opposed Giani Gargaj's appointment as jathedar and had announced that they would not let him deliver 'sandesh.' In a surprise move, Giani Gargaj performed the 'ardas' at the end of which he raised issues concerning the Sikh community, what was called his 'sandesh.' He sought the release of Sikh prisoners; the unity of the panth; restrictions on wearing kakars (articles of faith) by Sikhs, and a prayer for Punjab not becoming a battleground in the India-Pakistan conflict. He also raised concern over ongoing efforts to blur Sikh identity and the issue of 'targeted killings' of Sikhs in the country. Interacting with the media at the Takht secretariat later, Giani Gargaj said, 'I gave my sandesh through ardas.' 'Sometimes we have to make such kind of decisions for the larger interests of the panth', he added. The jathedar stated that Punjab is the land sanctified by the Sikh Gurus, and seeds of hatred must not be sown here. Dhami presented 'siropas' to the kin of Sikh leaders after Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, the sons of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in Operation Bluestar, had backed Taksal's chief and had announced that they would not accept the 'siropa from the jathedar. Dhumma hailed SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami's role in this mutual understanding. On Friday, Dhumma reached the Takht with supporters, including armed nihangs. SGPC staff insisted only he enter the Takht building but allowed a few armed supporters along with him after an argument. The SGPC staff and Punjab Police personnel in plainclothes were on their toes to ensure order in the Golden Temple complex. SGPC employees escorted Giani Gargaj, who wore a black turban in protest of the army action, to the Takht, where Dhumma was made to sit in front of him. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, who had backed Giani Gargaj, alleged that 'conservative forces' did not let Singh Sahib (acting jathedar) deliver his 'sandesh' properly and give siropa to kin of slain leaders. 'Causing disruption in the proceedings of Akal Takht is against the maryada and we condemn it', he added. Sarbat Khalsa-appointed acting parallel jathedar of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand also issued a separate 'sandesh' advocating unity in panth and burying the hatchets. The entire periphery of the Golden Temple near Akal Takht echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans raised by activists of different bodies including Dal Khalsa, SAD (A) and Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale). Scuffles broke out between SGPC staff and young nihangs after the latter were not allowed to enter the Akal Takht. An angry young nihang attempted to hit an SGPC staffer with his dagger after the event in the shrine complex but was overpowered by the staff and locked in a room with the help of cops in plain cloth. A big function was also organised at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, headquarters of Damdami Taksal at village Chowk Mehta in Amritsar district. Complete bandh observed in Amritsar On the call of radical organisations, a complete bandh was observed on Friday with almost all the commercial outlets, shops, showrooms, and shopping malls remaining closed. Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, IDH market, Lawrance Road, Ranjit Avenue markets and all other main commercial hubs wore deserted look and the cops kept a tight vigil to prevent any untoward incident. Services, including transport, were hit, while health services remained normal. Most of the residents preferred to stay at home. Banks and educational institutes also remained closed. However, health services remained normal.
