Takht Sri Patna Sahib withdraws edicts declaring Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya'; standoff with Akal Takht resolved
PTC News Desk: Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj held a meeting with five Sikh high priests on Monday in order to resolve the ongoing conflict between Akal Takht and Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
The standoff was unanimously resolved during a meeting of Panj Singh Sahiban (Sikh High Priests) convened by Jathedar Gargaj. Meanwhile Takht Sri Patna Sahib also submitted a letter in the meeting withdrawing all the diktats that declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal as 'tankhaiya'.
Notably other edicts declaring the jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib as ‘tankhaiya’ were also withdrawn.
Additionally, Akal Takht also withdrew edicts issued against the management of Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
The controversy erupted after the ‘panj pyare’ at Takht Sri Patna Sahib summoned Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly interfering in its functioning. In the same meeting, they also declared Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh as ‘tankhaiya’ for reinstating Gauhar and summoning granthis without Takht Sri Patna Sahib’s consent.
However, Akal Takht rejected the pronouncement and instead declared three of the five Takht Sri Patna Sahib high priests ‘tankhaiya’, directing them to clarify their position within 15 days.
Meanwhile the SGPC had also rejected the edict citing that Takht Sri Patna Sahib lacks jurisdiction in pronouncing decisions in such matters. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami also emphasised that only Akal TAkht holds the authority to comprehend on panthic issues and that challenging the supremacy could cripple unity amongst the Sikhs.
Dhami further emphasised on resolution through dialogue rather than confrontation.
- PTC NEWS
