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Jathedars begin blame game, Sikhs
seek new systems
Kanwar Pal Singh
 There
is nothing more painful than witnessing the fight of Takht
Jathedars. Instead of showing signs of statesmanship, they are
fighting like small-time politicians. Though considered to be
torchbearers of truth and determination, and expected by everyone to
conduct in an exemplary manner, they are unfortunately undermining
their own status and that of the Sikhs. The will of the community,
it is said, speaks through them. The present incumbents are, however
being rebuked by all and sundry. Criticism is become fever-pitched
and demands for their removal are becoming more vocal and
aggressive.
This is not the
first time that Jathedars have entered into an unsavoury public
dialogue, what perhaps is new is that many Sikhs have started
speaking their minds. The present stalemate is the fallout of one
wrong decision of Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Harmandir
Sahib, Patna. He has unnecessarily attempted to "tamper" with the
Sikh Maryada (Sikh code of conduct) and challenged the Nanakshahi
calendar. Obviously, Jathedars of others Takhts have taken strong
objection to this suo-moto step of the Patna Sahib Jathedar
which has not embarrassed the community but has undermined their own
position in public minds.
 No Jathedar,
much less the Jathedar of Patna Sahib alone can change, amend the
well-accepted Sikh code of conduct As such the collective will of
the Panth should be taken into consideration while making any such
change. In case of the Rehat Maryada and the Nanakshahi calendar,
a number of wide-ranging talks and consultations were held before
their adoption by the Khalsa Panth. Some discord will always remain
and that has been the case with the Nanakshahi calendar too.
Along with Giani
Iqbal Singh, even the Sant Samaj does not accept some portions of
the new Sikh calendar. What they don’t realize is that difference of
opinion should not become a stumbling block for progress. The
Nanakshahi calendar is manifestation of the distinct religio-cultural
identity of the Sikh people and changes if any can be carried with
due consultation and dialogue. It is highly unreasonable and
undemocratic to throw out a document merely because one does not
agree with it.
 Not to be
outdone and not to see reason, the Patna Sahib Jathedar overstepped
his brief and commandeered a challenge to the supremacy of the Akal
Takht compelling a section of the community to question the
bonafides of his diatribe.
During the last
three decades, each of the Jathedars, from Prof Manjit Singh, Bhai
Ranjit Singh, Giani Puran Singh to the present one, all have been
involved in one controversy or the other. After the attack on Darbar
Sahib in June 1984 and the period that followed it, the seat of the
Jathedar of Akal Takht was held by various individuals and was mired
in the politics of those times.
The golden era
of Jathedars of Nawab Kapur Singh, Jassa Singh, Akali Phula Singh is
over. During the British period, Sarbrahs appointed by the
British had to leave because of their conduct. It was after this
that SGPC assumed powers to appoint and sack Jathedars.
Political
considerations and loyalty to the dominant political denomination
has been the sole criteria for the appointment and removal of
Jathedars, which results in sidelining of capable and deserving
personalities. Significantly, the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 is silent
on the status of the Jathedar of Takhts.
 Presently, a 15
member SGPC executive committee exercises arbitrary powers to
handpick people for the august office. Politicization of this
office is heavily resented by Sikhs in general and they feel cheated
whenever a new controversial is heralded. The SGPC that represents
electorates of 3 states has wrongly presumed that it represents the
will of the entire community.
History is
replete with many instances of political considerations taking
precedence over religious parameters, even during the British
period. It has invariably harmed religious ethos and tarnished the
secular and democratic image of the Sikh community. The Akalis
continue to dabble in Gurdwara affairs and politics despite having
dropped the Panthic agenda in 1996.
Gurtej Singh,
former IAS officer and National Professor of Sikhism, says:
''Previously, the Jathedars were appointed in consultation with
different Sikh bodies and with the eminent people of the
community.'' This ended with the era of Master Tara Singh. Since
then politicians sought to use the position of Jathedars to further
their own agenda.
 The Takht
Jathedars should be so elected that they enjoy the confidence of the
entire Sikh Panth. Their appointment and suspension should be
codified and a strict layered guideline for issuance of Hukamnamas
should be adopted by the Akal Takht in consultation with various
sections of the Sikh community.
In January 1986,
the SGPC was bypassed when a Sarbat Khalsa called by Damdami Taksal
appointed Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode as the Akal Takhat Jathedar. The
appointment of Bhai Rode and other high priests was first ratified
by the SGPC. But they were sacked later when late Jathedar Gurcharan
Singh Tohra was in jail. Jathedar Tohra then appointed Bhai Ranjit
Singh in order to counter the militants. As Bhai Ranjit Singh was in
jail at that time, Prof Manjit Singh was made Acting Jathedar in his
absence.
With the removal
of Prof. Manjit Singh started the trend of sacking Jathedars, which
was rarely done, a Jathedar either resigned or died in office. The
trend of frequent sackings emerged since Parkash Singh Badal
acquired all levers of power be it political or religious in his
hands.
Without evolving
and implementation of specific rules and guidelines regarding the
appointment, removal and working sphere of the Jathedar of the Akal
Takht and other Takhts, nothing is going to change. Since the
directives of Takht Jathedars affect the entire community, it is
necessary to involve the established Sikh institutions including the
SGPC, seminaries, groups and prominent personalities in the process.
 In
the on-going crisis, not only the image of the Jathedars is at
stake but
so is the credibility of Sikh institutions. Better sense should
prevail and Jathedars should be forced to live up to the
expectations of the community.
Kanwarpal Singh
is general secretary of Dal Khalsa. The WSN does not necessarily
endorse the views of its columnists.
6 February 2008
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