Navigating the Historical Legacy and Contemporary Challenges of Appointing and Empowering the Jathedar of Akal Takhat within the Ambit of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.
You’ve raised a very important issue,especially, in the current times when Sikh Panth is facing challenges from within and without. It is very difficult to ensure that a person, who is given the honour of being a Jathedar, does not degrade him/her with time or indulge in political appeasement, whether any qualifications and qualities are prescribed notwithstanding. The constitution of India, for example, prescribes to the greatest possible detail, the traits and attributes of the office holders of most of the constitutional authorities. Yet, certain individuals have not only failed to uphold their role but also have abused and misused the position.
Coming back to our own issue, I think the big house of the SGPC executive committee can and should choose, with great caution, a person of high morals, uncompromising on Sikh values and of great knowledge about Sikh history and ethics. His antecedents about political leanings should thoroughly be scrutinised. Though difficult, I do not think it is an impossible task. And finally, his appointment should be approved by the collective Sarbat Khalsa as soon as possible.
I am totally for Sarbat Khalsa, but it should not be merely a show of brute numbers. There needs to be meaningful discussion which may not always be possible in huge congregations.
Very well written articles befitting the contemporary situations. fair rational and objectively written with historical facts quoting legal provisions and religious traditions and importance of the institution of sri Akal Takhat Sahib. It is useful for a lay man as well for q sikh scholars too. Congratulations sir 👍👍
The irony of fate is that SGPC has turned into one wing of SAD Akali dal. Their only motive is to rule over punjab by hook or crook they want jathedar of sri Akal Takhat Sahib to be their yes man. They dont want to frame rules, procedure and collegium to select the jathedar even the Hindu central govt never want that the institutions of sri Akal Takhat should be autonomous and strong reasons known to every one.. Rest I should quote, Victor Hugo , no body can stop the idea the time of which has come.
It seems the time has not yet come. Let's hope for the best and quickest best one.
The irony of fate is that SGPC has turned into one wing of SAD Akali dal. Their only motive is to rule over punjab by hook or crook they want jathedar of sri Akal Takhat Sahib to be their yes man. They dont want to frame rules, procedure and collegium to select the jathedar even the Hindu central govt never want that the institutions of sri Akal Takhat should be autonomous and strong reasons known to every one.. Rest I should quote, Victor Hugo , no body can stop the idea the time of which has come.
It seems the time has not yet come. Let's hope for the best and quickest best one.
Jun 17, 2023·edited Jun 17, 2023Liked by KBS Sidhu
Beautiful article , which touches on the fundamentals of the Sikh ethos where, there are certain aspects of practical life where Sikhs refuse to bend to the political powers , insofar as they infringe on the spiritual and Almighty driven laws. The "rajan ke raja" principle is generally lost on the way Guru Hargobind Singh sahib ji promulgated at Akal Takhat. The power at Akal Takhat does not need the authorization of legal system of men , but the legal system of Almighty hold there. We as Sikhs should also hence make it deferential to Almighty rather than to any other authority. This does not mean we have to oppose political system, we need to be with in it. The corollary to this is political precedence is not mandatory needed , we should let the political Law of the land be followed , till it infringes on the temporal and spiritual laws of Almighty. The line is very fine and ill-defined , probably difficult to define but we should debate it and able to at least have some inkling where it is in the haze of politics.
Jun 17, 2023·edited Jun 17, 2023Liked by KBS Sidhu
The article on “ Akal Takhat—-/-“
is really a marvellous piece of writing , in the sense it encompasses religious, legal , societal, political aspects , of the evolving set up . Above all , all the aspects are presented in a simplest possible manner and written in a very simple language (writing in simple language is very difficult) This article takes me to our times, when we were in studies, and remember Sh Girilal Jain who was worldwide recognised as writer of simple language. This article is of that standard.
Hope, respected Sidhu Sir, would go on contributing like this for a long time and go on enriching and guiding us. I pray for his long active life with good health and full of energy.
Appreciate your hard work .We are going through crucial period , Hope & wish new Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh will fulfill his responsibilities . There shouldn’t be any politics .We should follow the rules set by Guru Hargobind Singhji .🙏🙏
Great Article. Another way could be to elect " Jathedar of Akal Takht", akin to the Pope being elected by all the cardinals. All of them vote & when smoke comes out of the Vatican Chimney, the whole world knows,there is a new pope
Great idea! That really make him a popular “mass” leader of the Sikhs.
One wonders if a direct election from the individual electorate would be desirable, because if individual elected members of the SGPC vote, manipulation cannot be ruled out.
You’ve raised a very important issue,especially, in the current times when Sikh Panth is facing challenges from within and without. It is very difficult to ensure that a person, who is given the honour of being a Jathedar, does not degrade him/her with time or indulge in political appeasement, whether any qualifications and qualities are prescribed notwithstanding. The constitution of India, for example, prescribes to the greatest possible detail, the traits and attributes of the office holders of most of the constitutional authorities. Yet, certain individuals have not only failed to uphold their role but also have abused and misused the position.
Coming back to our own issue, I think the big house of the SGPC executive committee can and should choose, with great caution, a person of high morals, uncompromising on Sikh values and of great knowledge about Sikh history and ethics. His antecedents about political leanings should thoroughly be scrutinised. Though difficult, I do not think it is an impossible task. And finally, his appointment should be approved by the collective Sarbat Khalsa as soon as possible.
Very meaningful observations indeed.
I am totally for Sarbat Khalsa, but it should not be merely a show of brute numbers. There needs to be meaningful discussion which may not always be possible in huge congregations.
Very well said sir.
As usual ur write ups are always must read
Very well written articles befitting the contemporary situations. fair rational and objectively written with historical facts quoting legal provisions and religious traditions and importance of the institution of sri Akal Takhat Sahib. It is useful for a lay man as well for q sikh scholars too. Congratulations sir 👍👍
Thanks for your kind comments.
The irony of fate is that SGPC has turned into one wing of SAD Akali dal. Their only motive is to rule over punjab by hook or crook they want jathedar of sri Akal Takhat Sahib to be their yes man. They dont want to frame rules, procedure and collegium to select the jathedar even the Hindu central govt never want that the institutions of sri Akal Takhat should be autonomous and strong reasons known to every one.. Rest I should quote, Victor Hugo , no body can stop the idea the time of which has come.
It seems the time has not yet come. Let's hope for the best and quickest best one.
Very interesting perspectives-- needs wide discussion and debate.
Thanks once again.
The irony of fate is that SGPC has turned into one wing of SAD Akali dal. Their only motive is to rule over punjab by hook or crook they want jathedar of sri Akal Takhat Sahib to be their yes man. They dont want to frame rules, procedure and collegium to select the jathedar even the Hindu central govt never want that the institutions of sri Akal Takhat should be autonomous and strong reasons known to every one.. Rest I should quote, Victor Hugo , no body can stop the idea the time of which has come.
It seems the time has not yet come. Let's hope for the best and quickest best one.
Beautiful article , which touches on the fundamentals of the Sikh ethos where, there are certain aspects of practical life where Sikhs refuse to bend to the political powers , insofar as they infringe on the spiritual and Almighty driven laws. The "rajan ke raja" principle is generally lost on the way Guru Hargobind Singh sahib ji promulgated at Akal Takhat. The power at Akal Takhat does not need the authorization of legal system of men , but the legal system of Almighty hold there. We as Sikhs should also hence make it deferential to Almighty rather than to any other authority. This does not mean we have to oppose political system, we need to be with in it. The corollary to this is political precedence is not mandatory needed , we should let the political Law of the land be followed , till it infringes on the temporal and spiritual laws of Almighty. The line is very fine and ill-defined , probably difficult to define but we should debate it and able to at least have some inkling where it is in the haze of politics.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Very meaningful comments indeed. There needs to be a greater discourse within the Sikh community, on some of these burning issues.
Even if this small article of mine is able to initiate small ripples, it would have served its purpose.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
The article on “ Akal Takhat—-/-“
is really a marvellous piece of writing , in the sense it encompasses religious, legal , societal, political aspects , of the evolving set up . Above all , all the aspects are presented in a simplest possible manner and written in a very simple language (writing in simple language is very difficult) This article takes me to our times, when we were in studies, and remember Sh Girilal Jain who was worldwide recognised as writer of simple language. This article is of that standard.
Hope, respected Sidhu Sir, would go on contributing like this for a long time and go on enriching and guiding us. I pray for his long active life with good health and full of energy.
Thanks for your very insightful comments.
Appreciate your hard work .We are going through crucial period , Hope & wish new Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh will fulfill his responsibilities . There shouldn’t be any politics .We should follow the rules set by Guru Hargobind Singhji .🙏🙏
Totally agree. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great Article. Another way could be to elect " Jathedar of Akal Takht", akin to the Pope being elected by all the cardinals. All of them vote & when smoke comes out of the Vatican Chimney, the whole world knows,there is a new pope
Great idea! That really make him a popular “mass” leader of the Sikhs.
One wonders if a direct election from the individual electorate would be desirable, because if individual elected members of the SGPC vote, manipulation cannot be ruled out.