AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—This upcoming Bandi Chhor Divas, SGPC and Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedars of the Takhts will be face to face again. Two rival Jathedar groups have been in close proximity in past, however, this year, a clash is eminent as differences have increased.
In a press note shared with Sikh24, the SGPC General Secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla issued a warning to the Sarbat Khalsa appointed Takht Jathedars by accusing them of violating the code of conduct at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He has said that the “patience of SGPC shouldn’t be mistaken as its weakness”.
He has further said that the sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib was a centre of devotion for entire humanity and no one would be allowed to sledgehammer the Sikh code of conduct there.
Expressing concern over the clash occurred between SGPC’s task force and Sikh activists favouring Sarbat Khalsa Jathedars, Chawla claimed that the SGPC was an elected body of Sikhs and the electors were aware of the reality of Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedars.
It is pertinent to note here that on October 15 numerous SGPC members led by Bibi Jagir Kaur had submitted a memorandum to SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh demanding strict action against the Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedars for resorting to ‘sacrilegious’ activities.
Following this, the SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had issued stern directions to the Punjab government as well as SGPC to take preventive measures to control any untoward incident inside Sri Harmandir Sahib on Bandi Chhor Diwas. Giani Gurbachan Singh had straight forwardly said that if any untoward incident occurs in or around the shrine in future, the SGPC and government would be responsible.
Categorically holding the SGPC responsible for it, Giani Gurbachan Singh had said that the situation reached to an intolerable state due to the lenient attitude of the SGPC which has encouraged the Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedars to hold their ‘equivalent court’ outside the shrine premises under the garb of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He had further said that it was a gross violation of the sanctity and authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to pronounce ‘Hukamnamas’, ‘Tankhah’ (religious punishment) and excommunication from the Panth since 2015 by a group of so-called Jathedars.
