Latest news with #RehatMaryada
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Raghbir Singh withdraws plea from high court
Amritsar: Giani Raghbir Singh, former Akal Takht jathedar and head granthi of the Golden Temple, has withdrawn his petition from the Punjab and Haryana high court. The petition had sought legal protection against his potential removal from the position of head granthi. In a statement, Giani Raghbir Singh said that despite unexpected incidents during his service, he consistently upheld Panthic traditions and the 'Rehat Maryada' (Sikh code of religious conduct). He asserted he never intended to harm Panthic institutions. He expressed gratitude to the global Sikh community for their concern following the court filing. He stated his decision to withdraw the case was made out of respect for the community's feelings. Giani Raghbir Singh's initial decision to file the case drew censure from several Sikh leaders. Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, objected to the former head of a spiritual court approaching a "materialistic court". Sarna stated that this action "diminished not only the dignity of the position but also his own stature". Sarna urged Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami to address the matter promptly. He suggested that since Giani Raghbir Singh "chose to stand in the dock of a court, he should be relieved of religious duties at once and reassigned to administrative work according to service rules". Kulwant Singh Mannan, SGPC's chief secretary, also expressed deep disappointment. He highlighted that historically, no Akal Takht jathedar has sought recourse in a "materialistic court", noting that their stature is considered higher, even to the extent of rejecting summons. MSID:: 122159256 413 |
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SGPC committee criticises Patna Sahib resolution challenging Akal Takht authority
Amritsar: Members of the committee constituted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to resolve the ongoing issue concerning Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib have called a recent resolution passed by the Patna Sahib Management Committee — challenging a decision of Akal Takht — unprincipled and against Sikh tenets. A release issued by SGPC here on Wednesday informed that the senior vice-president of SGPC Raghujit Singh Virk, along with committee members Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala, said that as per Sikh Rehat Maryada, Akal Takht has the supreme authority among other Takhts and has full jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals and decisions on religious matters across Sikh institutions. The leaders pointed out that Article 79 of the Constitution and by-laws of Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib also affirms the authority of Akal Takht in religious affairs, and its decisions are considered final and binding in the Sikh tradition. They added that the resolution passed by the Patna Sahib Committee seems to be a direct challenge to the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is not a cordial approach. While acknowledging that the Patna Sahib committee may have acted in haste, the SGPC leaders reaffirmed that their delegation will still visit Patna Sahib and work toward a resolution through dialogue and mutual respect. MSID: 121468120 413 |
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh high priests in Amritsar lift ban on Dhadrianwale's preaching after he expresses regret over controversial remarks
Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale AMRITSAR: Accepting the plea for forgiveness made by Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale before the five Sikh high priests, they lifted the five-year-old ban on his religious congregations during a meeting held on Wednesday. This came after Dhadrianwale expressed regret over his controversial statements regarding gurmat (the Gurus' tenets). A meeting of Sikh high priests, including the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht , Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj , Giani Rajdeep Singh , Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Baba Tek Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, granthi of Akal Takht, was held at the Akal Takht secretariat. While lifting the ban, the high priests instructed him to strictly adhere to Akal Takht-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada, traditions, and historical Sakhis (orally narrated historical account generally pertaining to times of Sikh Gurus). It was in 2020 that the Akal Takht had asked the community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale for misinterpreting 'Gurbani' and rejecting Sikh customs until he tendered an apology. Dhadrianwale is seen to be a rival of Harnam Singh Dhuma, the head of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal. In another decision, the Sikh high priests directed Sant Singh, president of the management committee of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Buddha Ji in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before Akal Takht in the case of the alleged harassment of Parminderpal Kaur, wife of Gurpreet Singh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo They also directed two patit (apostate) office-bearers—treasurer Kulwinder Singh Multani and secretary Jas Sohal—to submit their clarification in writing. Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harvinder Singh Sarna also appeared before the five Sikh high priests and expressed remorse over his inappropriate remarks about Sikh scholars and clergy. His repentance was accepted with the condition that he perform daily recitations of two Japji Sahib and two Chaupai Sahib paths for 11 days and offer "Karah Prasad" worth Rs 501 at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Delhi upon completion of the sewa, according to the resolution. Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, also sought forgiveness for his role in controversial pardon to Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The Sikh high priests accepted his apology on the condition that he performed daily sewa (voluntary service) of dishwashing at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Langar and the shoe service for one hour each. In another resolution, the Sikh high priests held an employee of Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi, guilty of immoral conduct with a female employee and declared him no longer eligible to hold any service in the institution.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh high priests lift ban on Dhadrianwale's preaching after he expresses regret over controversial remarks
Amritsar: Accepting the plea for forgiveness made by Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale before the five Sikh high priests, they lifted the five-year-old ban on his religious congregations in a meeting held on Wednesday, This was after Dhadrianwale expressed regret over his controversial statements regarding gurmat (Gurus' tenets). A meeting of Sikh high priests, including the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht , Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj , Giani Rajdeep Singh , Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Baba Tek Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, granthi of Akal Takht, was held at the Akal Takht secretariat. While lifting the ban, the high priests instructed him to strictly adhere to Akal Takht-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada, traditions, and historical Sakhis (orally narrated historical account generally pertaining to times of Sikh Gurus). It was in 2020 that the Akal Takht had asked the community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale for misinterpreting 'Gurbani' and rejecting Sikh customs until he tendered an apology. Dhadrianwale is seen to be a rival of Harnam Singh Dhuma, the head of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal. In another decision, the Sikh high priests directed Sant Singh, president of the management committee of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Buddha Ji in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before Akal Takht in the case of the alleged harassment of Parminderpal Kaur, wife of Gurpreet Singh. They also directed two patit (apostate) office-bearers—treasurer Kulwinder Singh Multani and secretary Jas Sohal—to submit their clarification in writing. Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harvinder Singh Sarna also appeared before the five Sikh high priests and expressed remorse over his inappropriate remarks about Sikh scholars and clergy. His repentance was accepted with the condition that he perform daily recitations of two Japji Sahib and two Chaupai Sahib paths for 11 days and offer "Karah Prasad" worth Rs 501 at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Delhi upon completion of the sewa, according to the resolution. Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, also sought forgiveness for his role in controversial pardon to Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The Sikh high priests accepted his apology on the condition that he performed daily sewa (voluntary service) of dishwashing at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Langar and the shoe service for one hour each. In another resolution, the Sikh high priests held an employee of Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi, guilty of immoral conduct with a female employee and declared him no longer eligible to hold any service in the institution.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Akal Takht lifts five-year-old ban on Sikh preacher Dhadrianwale after apology for ‘misinterpreting' Gurbani
CHANDIGARH: Breaking a five-year-long deadlock, the Akal Takht (the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs) today lifted the ban on religious congregations of Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale over allegations of misinterpreting the Gurbani (hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib), after he pledged to abide by Sikh principles and traditions. The five high priests accepted Dhadrianwale's apology letter while allowing him to preach Sikhism solely in the light of maintaining the sanctity of Gurmat and the Sikh code of conduct (Rehat Maryada). The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, questioned Dhadrianwale from the podium (faseel) of the Akal Takht regarding his controversial remarks on Sikh principles. Dhadrianwale humbly acknowledged his mistakes and expressed his desire to work within the mainstream of the Khalsa Panth, preaching Sikhism under the umbrella of the Akal Takht. Earlier in the day, Dhadrianwale submitted a formal apology to the five high priests, clarifying his stance on previous allegations of distorting Sikh principles in his discourses. As a symbolic gesture of acceptance, Gargaj ordered Dhadrianwale to offer a 'deg' worth ₹501 at the Akal Takht, a traditional act signifying humility and reconciliation. On April 22, Gargaj had extended an open invitation to Dhadrianwale and other Sikh preachers to appear before the Akal Takht, clarify past controversies, and rejoin the mainstream of Sikh preaching. In response, Dhadrianwale claimed that his statements were morphed and politically influenced, hinting at his willingness to clarify matters and join the Sikh propagation campaign being initiated by Gargaj. The five high priests included Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Golden Temple granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Joginder Singh, and Akal Takht's granthi Giani Gurbakshish Singh. Dhadrianwale, who is considered to be the arch-rival of Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma, appeared before the five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht today and sought forgiveness for his mistakes. Last week, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with looking into a rape-murder case in Patiala had recommended that the FIR against Dhadrianwale, registered in December last year, be cancelled, as it could not find anything to substantiate the allegations. The lifting of the ban against Dhadrianwale comes at a time when Dhuma has turned against the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Dhuma wants the SGPC to remove acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He is now reportedly close to the BJP, especially since the SAD snapped political ties with its long-time ally. A five-member committee was constituted by the Akal Takht in 2019 to probe the allegations against Dhadrianwale for allegedly misinterpreting the Gurbani and insulting Sikh customs. On August 24, 2020, the Akal Takht asked the Sikh community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale until he issued a clarification on the allegations and apologised for them.
