Akal Takhat Issues Aadesh Regarding Gurdwara Committees

AMRITSAR SAHIB—In a decision taken at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, it was decided that only practicing Sikhs should be allowed to be members of Gurdwara committees.  The decision was taken after Sri Akal Takht Sahib had received numerous complaints about non-practicing Sikhs carrying out anti-Gurmat activities within Gurdwara premises.  Many times, these persons are on the Gurdwara committees and do as they please.

The ‘aadesh’ passed at the Akal Takht Sahib meeting is interesting as many Gurdwaras located around the globe and in Punjab have members who are not practicing Sikhs and do not adhere to the Sikh identity or code of conduct.  Sikh24 has sent correspondence to Sri Akal Takht Sahib to pass clear instructions on what should be done in case local Gurdwara committees do not comply with the hukam.

These directives or aadesh passed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib are passed as endorsements which everyone should strive to follow.  However, considering the vast numbers of Gurdwaras that exist worldwide, how the mandate will be received is not yet known.

However the Akal Takht Sahib may at a later date ask Ragi Jathas and Katha Vachaks to boycott Gurdwaras that allow non-practicing Sikhs to remain on committees.  Although in the past, Gurdwaras have defied similar edicts, most credible Ragi Jathas and other parchariks generally comply to every hukam passed from Akal Takht Sahib.

The translation and original copy of the edict is provided below –

Dated Maghar 7 545 Nanakshahi (November 22, 2013), a gathering of five Singh Sahibs was held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat.  It was decided that only those people can be allowed to be members of Gurdwara Committees who use Singh as last name, keep unshorn Sikh identity and are amritdharis.  This is an appeal to the entire Sangat having faith in Guru Nanak.

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