AMRITSAR: In an official statement issued by the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, it has been said that during a meeting held yesterday at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Five Singh Sahiban discussed and acted upon the long-pending matter related to Takht Sri Harmandar Ji, Patna Sahib. The decision taken is not a new matter, but rather action has been taken based on issues that have been pending for a long time, as per the records of the Secretariat.
In this regard, a meeting of the Five Singh Sahiban took place on December 6, 2022, at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, comprising Giani Harpreet Singh (then officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib), Giani Raghbir Singh (Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib), Giani Sultan Singh (Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib), Giani Malkit Singh (Additional Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib), and Giani Mangal Singh (Panj Piara of Sri Akal Takht Sahib) and the current action was taken in light of the decisions made in that meeting.
During the December 6, 2022 meeting, an order was issued for the management committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib to send a report to Sri Akal Takht Sahib based on an inquiry conducted by a high-level committee formed by then President Avtar Singh Hit regarding Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar. However, this order was not complied with, which amounts to disobedience. Later, on November 4, 2024, Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar submitted the report of a committee headed by former High Court judge R.S. Sodhi to the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which stated that the allegations against Giani Gauhar were not substantiated.
As per the December 6, 2022 order, the management committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib was also directed to have Giani Baldev Singh recite the Panj Banian (Five Prayers) within five days in the presence of the designated Panj Piaras, with the process to be video-recorded and sent to Sri Akal Takht Sahib. This order too was not complied. Additionally, an order was issued to transfer Giani Gurdyal Singh from Takht Sri Patna Sahib to another location, which was also not complied. All these orders were issued under the leadership of then Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh by the Five Singh Sahiban.
Now that Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar had once again submitted a petition requesting resolution of his case, the Five Singh Sahiban have taken action on the long-pending matter of Takht Sri Patna Sahib, as it is imperative to resolve petitions submitted to Sri Akal Takht Sahib in accordance with Panthic traditions.
Regarding the decision made yesterday by Takht Sri Patna Sahib, it is important to highlight that even after the order issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 6, 2022, a similar anti-Panthic decision was taken under a conspiracy, challenging the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. However, this decision was later annulled by Jagjot Singh, President of the Management Committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib, who accepted the decision of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and declared the decision taken by the Granthi Singhs of Sri Patna Sahib as invalid and canceled it entirely.
The decision then taken by Granthi Singhs of Sri Patna Sahib was also rejected by the Panj Piaras of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on December 9, 2022.
Now, a similar step has once again been taken, which is an action that disrupts unity within the Khalsa Panth. If this decision is not withdrawn promptly, strict action will be taken by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Granthi Singhs of Takht Sri Patna Sahib who attempted to challenge Sri Akal Takht Sahib yesterday are currently under scrutiny for several complaints involving anti-Gurmat conduct (such as their family members being Patit, consumption of tobacco/cigarettes, etc.). Takht Sri Patna Sahib can take decisions related to local existing Maryada, Ritual and Doctrines, but Sri Akal Takht Sahib has full authority to deliberate on dispute related to religious matters and its opinion and decision are considered final.
Rather than understanding the matter, attempts are being made to misdirect it, even though all actions are being carried out in accordance with the records already available in the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Management Committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib should not create a situation of conflict among the Takht Sahibs, but instead act with sincerity and unity in accordance with Panthic traditions and principles, and fully comply with the orders of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
At present, the Sikh community is facing many challenges from anti-Panthic forces. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to act in unity under the spiritual guidance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, setting aside personal interests and adhering to Guru’s principles. According to Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the highest among the five Takhts, and its decisions and orders are binding on all Takht Sahibs and the entire Sikh community. No group of Panj Piaras from any Takht Sahib has the authority to question the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
It is also clarified that during a special assembly of the Five Singh Sahiban at Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib on October 22, 2015, a resolution was passed declaring the action taken on October 21, 2015 by the then-suspended Panj Piaras of Sri Akal Takht Sahib—who had summoned the Jathedars of all five Takhts—as disorderly and creating unnecessary conflict within the Khalsa Panth. That action was annulled outright. A similar act was committed again yesterday at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, which is a gross violation of established principles.