Chandigarh: In the midst of the continued crisis in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over the ouster of jathedars, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Monday officially assumed office as the jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab’s Rupnagar district. The function was held in the presence of the ‘Panj Piaras’ of the Takht, with top Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials present.
The SGPC had nominated Gargaj as the new jathedar on March 7, after the ousting of Giani Raghbir Singh from the Akal Takht jathedar post and Giani Sultan Singh from the post of jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. He has also been entrusted with the additional charge as the acting jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism.
At the time of the ceremony, Gargaj offered his respects at Takht Kesgarh Sahib prior to taking up his new position. Takht head granthi Giani Joginder Singh conducted the ‘ardas’ (Sikh prayer) after which the ‘Panj Piaras’ offered a ceremonial turban to him. SGPC secretary Partap Singh and Takht Kesgarh Sahib manager Malkit Singh also presented turbans to him, while Takht ‘granthis’ presented him with ‘siropas’ (robe of honor).
In his address, Gargaj urged the Sikh community to unite under one ‘Nishan Sahib’ in light of the current ‘Panthic’ situation. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Takht, he reflected on his humble beginnings, stating that he started as a ‘Pathi’ before dedicating himself to religious preaching. He reaffirmed his commitment to serving the Guru’s Panth.
While this, the SAD is also suffering from internal rebellion on the jathedar ousters. The move has been opposed vehemently by top party brass, including Bikram Singh Majithia, and has resulted in resignations in the party’s district units in Punjab and Haryana. SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder has cautioned against indiscipline, saying anti-party remarks would be examined by the disciplinary committee, with show-cause notices to be served to the dissenters.
Political experts see the crisis presenting a serious test for SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, given that the SGPC is already without a president after Harjinder Singh Dhami stepped down. The row has only escalated after Akal Takht declared Sukhbir ‘tankhaiya’ in December 2024 for defying Sikh religious principles, making it that much more of a problem for the party.
With the worsening of the crisis, everyone’s eyes are glued to the situation unfolding in the SAD and the SGPC’s influence over the destiny of Sikh leadership.