AMRITSAR, May 22: — In a strong rebuttal a day after the ‘Panj Pyaras’ of Takht Sri Patna Sahib declared two Takht jathedars “tankhaiyah” (guilty of religious misconduct), the Akal Takht Secretariat has demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision, warning of stern action if the directive is ignored.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Secretariat reiterated that “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme temporal authority among the five Takhts, and its decisions are binding on the entire Sikh community.”
It further stated, “No group of Panj Pyaras from any Takht Sahib has the jurisdiction to challenge the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”
The rebuke followed Wednesday’s dramatic development at Takht Patna Sahib, where its Panj Pyaras pronounced Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Baba Tek Singh guilty of religious misconduct. They also summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, accusing him of interference in Patna Sahib’s affairs.
This move was seen as a counteraction after the two jathedars, along with three other Sikh high priests, had earlier summoned the Patna Sahib shrine management for failing to implement Akal Takht’s directives.
According to the Akal Takht, two Patna Sahib granthis — Bhai Baldev Singh and Bhai Gurdial Singh — were explicitly barred in 2022 from challenging its authority. That year, an order issued by the five Sikh high priests, under the leadership of then-acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, instructed the management to have Bhai Baldev Singh recite Panj Banian (Five Prayers), with a video recording to be sent to Amritsar. Bhai Gurdial Singh was also to be transferred from his post. However, both orders were ignored.
The Akal Takht Secretariat also revealed that the Patna Sahib granthis who issued Wednesday’s edict were themselves under scrutiny for multiple complaints involving alleged anti-Gurmat conduct. “These include accusations of their family members being patit (apostate) and instances of tobacco use,” the statement said.
It also invoked Section 79 of the constitution and bylaws governing Takht Sri Patna Sahib, which recognizes Akal Takht’s primacy in religious adjudication and affirms that its decisions are final and binding.
The Secretariat reminded the Patna Sahib authorities that they may only take decisions on local rituals or maryada, not on broader religious matters. “Takht Sri Patna Sahib cannot unilaterally act on disputes of panthic significance,” it concluded.
