Amritsar, April 17: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has called on Sikh intellectuals, organisations, and individuals worldwide to submit suggestions regarding service rules for Takht jathedars, the temporal heads of Sikhism’s highest seats.
The appeal comes amid criticism over recent abrupt removals of jathedars, prompting the SGPC to announce plans for a formal policy governing their appointment, jurisdiction, and removal.
“We have already received a large number of suggestions,” SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said after the executive meeting held at the committee’s headquarters. “We wait for the wider Sikh community, especially leading Panthic organisations, to participate in this endeavour. A comprehensive policy based on collective opinion and sentiments would be formulated.”
The SGPC has invited inputs from institutions such as Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh groups, and global Sikh bodies, with submissions open until April 20 via email at info@sgpc.net or WhatsApp at +91-7710136200.
Following the deadline, a committee will be set up to review the suggestions before finalising the policy.
During the meeting, the SGPC also passed a special resolution condemning the Central government for delaying decisions in the cases of Balwant Singh Rajoana and other Bandi Sikhs (Sikh prisoners).
The committee termed the delay as “discriminatory behaviour” against the Sikh minority and resolved to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention for urgent action on Rajoana’s long-pending plea for commutation.
Rajoana has been on death row since 2007. “The Prime Minister must intervene to ensure justice is delivered,” Dhami added.
Read more: SGPC Seeks Suggestions on Akal Takht Jathedar Rules
