Amritsar, July 14 — Amid growing tensions between the Akal Takht and Takht Patna Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has called a special session of its general house on August 5 to deliberate on the escalating dispute that has stirred unease within the Sikh community.
The announcement came on Sunday, a day after 12 SGPC members, led by former president Jagir Kaur and former general secretary Kiranjot Kaur, held a meeting in Jalandhar demanding urgent discussion over the issue. SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Manan confirmed the session will take place at Teja Singh Samundri Hall under the chairmanship of president Harjinder Singh Dhami.
“This matter has become an embarrassment for the community. Addressing it is necessary to calm the troubled hearts of the Sikh sangat and protect the dignity and authority of the Takht,” said Jagir Kaur, urging collective introspection and action.
Manan said invitations for the session were issued on July 11. However, Kiranjot Kaur contested the claim, stating, “Had we received the invite, there would have been no need to hold a separate meeting or raise this demand.”
The row traces back to May 21, when the Akal Takht, under jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, criticised Takht Patna Sahib’s management for not implementing its 2022 directive. The order had sought a review of the Gurbani recitation skills of current jathedar Baldev Singh and the transfer of additional head granthi Bhai Gurdial Singh.
After months of non-compliance, Akal Takht barred both religious figures from performing panthic duties and summoned Takht Patna Sahib’s leadership to appear for an explanation. In a sharp rebuttal, Baldev Singh and Gurdial Singh—both part of the Takht Patna Sahib panj pyaras—issued a counter-decree, rejecting the Akal Takht’s authority over their internal matters.
The Patna Sahib panj pyaras escalated the standoff by declaring Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for not responding to their summons. Their pronouncement was immediately rejected by the Akal Takht, intensifying the institutional confrontation.
The SGPC’s decision to convene the general house reflects growing internal concern over the rift. The session is expected to be a critical juncture for determining the committee’s position on the authority of the Akal Takht over other Takhts and future course of action.
Meanwhile, the SGPC continued its outreach efforts as part of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. At a congregation held at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Ulsoor, Bengaluru, president Dhami announced the upcoming publication of a booklet on the life of the ninth Sikh Guru in Kannada.
“SGPC will also send preachers to Karnataka to teach children Punjabi and Gurbani,” Dhami said, adding that books would be donated to establish gurdwara libraries across the state.
