Akal Takht bars two kirtani jathas from performing kirtan for a month after public spat
PTC Web Desk: Sri Akal Takht Sahib has barred the kirtani jathas of Bhai Jagjeet Singh Babiha and Bhai Kulwinder Singh Kharar from doing kirtan before the sangat for one month, from November 13 to December 12.
The decision was taken on the directions of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj. It follows a running dispute between the two jathas over the past few days, along with repeated complaints from members of the community that reached the Akal Takht Secretariat.
Gurmat training ordered
Under the Secretariat’s order, Bhai Jagjeet Singh Babiha will spend the month on a Gurmat course at Shaheed Sikh Missionary College in Amritsar. Bhai Kulwinder Kharar will be trained at Gurmat Sangeet Academy in Sri Anandpur Sahib. The courses are meant to teach them Sikh Rehat Maryada, proper conduct within the sangat and the principles of Gurmat Sangeet.
Both kirtanis must also do sewa in the langar hall every morning and evening, which the order says is to nurture humility. Once the month is over, each must present himself before the Secretariat in person and submit a certificate from his institution.
What the order says
The Secretariat described Gurbani kirtan as a divine gift from the Guru and nourishment for the soul. According to the order, anyone performing it must have reverence for the Guru, humility, knowledge of the Rehat Maryada and an understanding of the traditional Gurbani musical system.
It accused both jathas of breaching the prescribed maryada of kirtan in recent times. The Secretariat also raised concern that the two had traded insults on social media, including from the diwan halls of gurdwaras. Such behaviour, it said, has deeply hurt traditional kirtaniyas and the wider sangat.
- PTC NEWS
