Akal Takht orders religious punishments as Giani Gurbachan Singh, Valtoha, GNDU VC and others appear and seek forgiveness
All decisions and punishments were finalised at today’s meeting of Five Singh Sahibaan
PTC Web Desk: In a significant development today, former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Virsa Singh Valtoha, GNDU Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjeet Singh, linguist Jaswant Singh and preacher Harinder Singh appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Monday and tendered written apologies for past actions deemed objectionable by the Sikh clergy. The proceedings began with an address by officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from the facade of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib clarified that several individuals had come forward to apologise for their earlier conduct in relation to various decisions of the supreme Sikh temporal authority.
Virsa Singh Valtoha accepts wrongdoing
Senior leader Virsa Singh Valtoha admitted to making derogatory remarks in October 2024 against prominent Panthic personalities and also accepted responsibility for recording audio without permission. Valtoha formally sought forgiveness.
The five Jathedars reviewed the matter and passed Resolution AT/202, lifting the 10-year ban earlier imposed by the Shiromani Akali Dal on Valtoha. However, the Takht simultaneously imposed restrictions on making any religiously sensitive statements in future.
As part of his religious punishment, Valtoha must:
Perform three days of service at Sri Harmandir Sahib langar hall, washing utensils and cleaning footwear for one hour daily; serve two days at Sri Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran, and one day each at Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Kesgarh Sahib, performing the same sewa. Recite prescribed prayers for 11 days and offer Rs 1,100 for karah prasad and deposit Rs 1,100 in the Golak before a forgiveness ardas is performed. Valtoha accepted the religious punishment.
GNDU VC Dr Karamjeet Singh seeks forgiveness
Dr Karamjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, apologised for controversial remarks made during a conference in South India in August 2024. The viral video had sparked outrage within the community.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib directed him to: Perform two days of langar sewa at Sri Harmandir Sahib, washing utensils and cleaning footwear for one hour daily; perform five days of Nitnem and Asa Ki Vaar recitation; read Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha’s book 'Ham Hindu Nahin' and distribute 500 copies and perform an ardas after offering Rs 1,100 in the form of karah prasad.
Dr Karamjeet Singh said, “The Sikh community is distinct and shall always remain distinct,” and vowed that no inappropriate actions will take place within the university.
Former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh apologises
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh publicly sought forgiveness for granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in September 2015, a decision that had triggered widespread anger within the Sikh Panth.
He has been ordered to: Perform two days of langar sewa at Sri Harmandir Sahib; eecite Japji Sahib, Asa Ki Vaar and Jaap Sahib for two days and offer Rs 1,100 as karah prasad before a forgiveness ardas is performed.
Disciplinary action against preacher Harinder Singh
Preacher Harinder Singh was directed to strictly adhere to Panth-approved maryada and to deliver sermons that strengthen the faith of the Sikh sangat.
The earlier restriction on his preaching was lifted, subject to compliance. His religious punishment includes: two days of utensil-washing sewa at Sri Harmandir Sahib; two days of prescribed prayers and Rs 1,100 for karah prasad and another Rs 1,100 to be deposited in the golak before seeking forgiveness.
Direction to language department director Jaswant Singh
Jaswant Singh, director of the Punjab Language Department, admitted that dance and singing activities conducted during the 350th Shaheedi Centenary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Jammu & Kashmir were inappropriate.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib ordered him to: perform two days of langar and footwear-cleaning sewa at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib; perform four days of prescribed prayers and distribute 100 copies of Principal Satbir Singh’s book; uphold utmost respect for Guru Sahiban in all future writings.
All decisions and punishments were finalised at today’s meeting of Five Singh Sahibaan.