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Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Patna Sahib edict on Sukhbir raises hackles of Akal Takht
Hours after the 'panj pyaras' (five beloved ones of Guru) of Takht Patna Sahib declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for failing to appear before them, Akal Takht denounced the action of the Bihar-based Sikh temporal seat on Saturday. Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, along with other Sikh high priests, pronouncing the edict from the Akal Takht at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Saturday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) The Akal Takht responded by condemning Takht Patna Sahib's actions and taking firm action against its additional head granthi Gurdial Singh and two members of the management committee, accusing them of conspiring to breach Akal Takht's authority. In a highly charged meeting held on Saturday at the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs — Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, called for an emergency session of the 'panj singh sahiban' (Sikh clergy). The gathering issued a resolution declaring that the actions of Takht Patna Sahib were a direct violation of the 2003 edict, which had been signed by the jathedars of all five Takhts. The decree emphasised that while the regional Takhts have jurisdiction over local religious, social and cultural matters, only Akal Takht can make decisions on Panth-wide issues. Akal Takht's clergy strongly condemned the recent decrees issued by 'panj pyaras' of Takht Patna Sahib, calling them 'unauthorised' and 'anti-traditional.' According to the 2003 decree, any collective decisions affecting the Sikh community as a whole must be made by the five Takhts at Akal Takht, with its jathedars holding the ultimate authority. The Sikh clergy denounced Takht Patna Sahib's actions as 'a gross violation' of these long-established traditions and warned that attempts to undermine Akal Takht's supremacy would not be tolerated. The resolution passed by the clergy reaffirmed that while all Takhts are held in high reverence, any collective religious directive must align with the decisions of the Akal Takht. The Sikh leadership underscored that divisive actions by individuals or groups under the influence of 'anti-Panthic forces' would not be allowed to weaken the unity of the Sikh community. In a major move, Akal Takht declared Gurdial Singh, additional head granthi at Takht Patna Sahib, 'tankhaiya' for his role in allegedly sowing discord and violating Akal Takht's directives. The Sikh community has been advised not to invite Gurdial Singh to any Panthic gatherings or 'Gurmat' events unless he personally appears before Akal Takht and seeks forgiveness within 15 days. Further, two members of the Takht Patna Sahib management committee — Harpal Singh (Johal) and Gurmeet Singh — were also declared 'tankhaiyas' for their alleged involvement in media campaigns challenging Akal Takht's authority. Both have been given an ultimatum to appear before the Akal Takht and seek forgiveness. Failure to do so will result in a social and religious boycott by the Sikh community, according to the decree. The controversy began on May 21 when Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj-led Sikh clergy, during a meeting at the Akal Takht, took notice of Takht Patna Sahib management's failure to comply with 2022 decree of the highest Sikh temporal seat, in which the management was asked to examine incumbent jathedar Baldev Singh's skill of Gurbani recitation and transfer of additional head Granthi Bhai Gurdial Singh. Following non-compliance, both were barred from performing Panthic duties by the Sikh clergy. Takht Patna Sahib committee leadership was ordered to present themselves before Akal Takht immediately for explanation. Hours after the pronouncement of the decree at Akal Takht, 'panj pyaras' also comprising Baldev Singh and Gurdial Singh issued a parallel decree, turning down the Akal Takht's decree and termed it as interference into the affairs of Takht Patna Sahib. It was stated by 'panj pyaras' that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal was behind this conspiracy, who was asked to appear at Takht Patna Sahib in 10 days. Time for the appearance of Sukhbir was extended twice. However, the SAD president failed to appear. The move of Sikh clergy to acquit former Takht Patna Sahib jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar in the allegations levelled against him, on the basis of the probe report, was also rejected by Takht Patna Sahib 'panj pyaras' who states that their prior decree declaring Gauhar 'tankhaiya' and excommunicating him still stands. Takht Patna Sahib had also stated that the decree of any other Takht will not be applicable at Takht Patna Sahib, nor it will be adhered to. Sikh scholars have weighed in on the growing crisis. Gurmeet Singh Sidhu, professor of religious studies in Punjabi University, Patiala, said: 'What has been done by Takht Patna Sahib is not as per Sikh tradition. None of the other Takhts are parallel bodies to the Akal Takht. They are basically supporting bodies of Akal Takht under the 'Panj Pardhani' system of Sikhs. Challenging supremacy of Akal Takht is unfortunate.' 'Jathedars of other Takhts should not interfere in the affairs of Akal Takht which is a supreme institution of the Sikhs', said noted Sikh historian and thinker Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, adding: 'First blunder was committed by Sukhbir Singh Badal by removing Punjab-based Takht jathedars. He should not have done it like that. There is a maryada and tradition of appointing and retiring a jathedar. He violated it. What has been done by Takht Patna Sahib panj pyaras is equally a wrong step.'
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Indian Express
Chandigarh: Online fraud involving fake vehicle auction ads busted, three arrested from Mumbai
The Cyber Crime team of Chandigarh Police has busted an online fraud case involving fake vehicle auction advertisements, arresting three individuals from Mumbai. The FIR no-23, dated March 28, 2025, registered at Cyber Crime police station, originated from a complaint filed by Gurdial Singh, who reported being duped of Rs 14.13 lakh. According to the complainant, he had joined a WhatsApp group, 'Bank Auction Vehicle Group', after receiving an invitation link from an unknown number. After some initial interactions in the group, he finalised a deal with an individual regarding the purchase of two cars allegedly parked in company yards at Haridwar and Jammu. He even verified the locations through personal sources before transferring the amount to various bank accounts shared with him via WhatsApp. However, when his staff visited the respective sites to take delivery of the vehicles, they were informed that the vehicles had not been sold to him. The group administrator subsequently stopped responding and switched off his mobile phone. Acting on the complaint, the Cyber Crime team conducted a raid in Agripada, Mumbai, and arrested one of the accused, Kuranal, alias Kunal Sanjay Bhai Talasaniya. During interrogation, Kunal said that he had opened the bank account used in the fraud on the directions of one Ajay Manubhai Jhamuriya and handed over his KYC documents to him for a 5 per cent commission. Following this lead, the police arrested Ajay from near Satrasta Chowk, Mumbai. He confessed to passing on the KYC documents to another individual, Salman, in exchange for a 7 per cent cut per transaction. Further investigation led to the arrest of another accused, Ronit Kamlesh Jadhav, from Jacob Circle, Mumbai. He admitted that he too had opened a bank account and handed over the credentials to one Tushar for a commission of 5 per cent. During the arrests, the police recovered two mobile phones with active SIM cards that were used to operate the fraudulent activities. The accused are currently in police custody and are being interrogated further to uncover the full extent of the gang's operations and identify other individuals involved in similar cyber crimes. The investigation is ongoing, said the police.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC panel to visit Takht Patna Sahib to settle dispute
A Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) delegation will visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib and hold a discussion with the management there to settle the dispute, a Sikh body spokesperson said on Saturday. A row erupted after Takht Patna Sahib when Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, pointed to defiance of its 2022 decree which had ordered an assessment of Patna Sahib jathedar Baldev Singh's Gurbani recitation skills and the transfer of granthi Gurdial Singh. On May 21, the Panj Pyaras of Takht Patna Sahib declared acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions that allegedly hurt the sanctity and dignity of the Takht Patna Sahib. As the confrontation escalated, Panj Pyaras of three Punjab-based temporal seats— Akal Takht, Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib—passed resolutions against the move. 'SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami constituted a delegation, which includes SGPC's senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala will visit Patna. SGPC assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi has been appointed as the coordinator of this delegation, the spokesperson added. Providing further details, Satbir Singh, officer on special duty (OSD) to SGPC's chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, said that the delegation would travel to Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib soon to hold discussions with its management committee and the Panj Pyaras.
