Panthic decisions rest with Akal Takht, not politicians: Gargajj | Chandigarh News
Bathinda: Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj on Tuesday warned against political interference in Panthic affairs, asserting that the Akal Takht alone had the authority to lead the Panth and take decisions on religious matters.“If anyone interferes in Panthic affairs, Sri Akal Takht will speak, summon the individuals concerned, and action will also be taken in accordance with Panthic traditions,” Gargajj said.He said every institution has its own sphere of responsibility. “Political leaders should fulfil their constitutional duties, whereas the authority to lead the Panth and make decisions on Panthic matters rests with Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is fully capable of discharging its responsibilities,” he said.Without naming anyone, Gargajj said some political figures had been interfering in Panthic affairs, which was “a matter of serious concern”. He said comparing the Guru’s Sangat with political gatherings or party supporters amounted to undermining Sikh principles.Referring to the proposed sacrilege legislation, Gargajj reiterated that the Sikh community would not accept the law unless the amendments and objectionable provisions identified by the Panth were removed.“Until such provisions are withdrawn, the legislation will not be acceptable to the Sikh community,” he said.Commenting on recent remarks about Nagar Kirtans and other Panthic traditions, Gargajj said such statements reflected “the same mindset” that had earlier shown disrespect towards Sikh religious symbols and historic shrines. “The Sikh Panth has never tolerated such thinking and will not do so in the future,” he said.He also urged Sikhs to maintain complete respect and maryada for the saroops of Guru Granth Sahib. “If proper service and observance of maryada are not possible in a household, the sacred saroop should be respectfully entrusted to a Gurdwara Sahib,” he said.Meanwhile, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the objective of the Miri-Piri Khalsa March was to take the Guru’s teachings to the Sangat, but some people were questioning even this initiative.“The authority to make Panthic decisions rests solely with Sri Akal Takht Sahib. If this authority begins to shift towards political institutions, it would pose a serious threat to the autonomy of the Panth,” Dhami said.
