Rivals seek to loosen SAD hold on Sikh politics

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 20

The increasing tension between the official jathedars and the ‘parallel’ ones, nominated at an ‘unofficial’ Sarbat Khalsa in 2015, may well be a proxy war between political parties vying for influence in Sikh politics. But the feud is causing confusion over the Akal Takht authority— undisputed thus far — in matters of religion.

The power play is weaking SAD’s grip on Sikh politics. As the official clergy took flak for Akal Takht decisions, rival Sikh groupings and other parties moved in to try and steer the ‘Panthic agenda’ their way, encouraging activities parallel to that of Akal Takht.

The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (Sikh wing of the RSS) too has become more active. In 2004, Akal Takht had issued directives against the RSS intervening in Sikh affairs. The wing is now organising special programmes to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in New Delhi (October 25). Some observers believe the RSS may try and approach a section of Sehajdhari Sikhs, who lost the legal battle for voting rights in the SGPC elections.

The recent killing of an RSS ‘pracharak’ in Ludhiana too has added to the tension in the organisation’s ties with the Sikh community.

But observers of Sikh affairs The Tribune spoke to believe the chances of any alternative grouping taking hold of Akal Takht are remote as the process of appointments is well-structured, beginning with the SGPC general body elections. And the next election is not likely before 2021.

Even as the Congress government in Punjab has maintained a silence on the matter, SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar suspects that “parallel jathedars” are being backed by the Congress to create unrest.

Weakening hold

Yet, there is no denying that the official jathedars’ authority among the Sikh masses is eroding, especially after now-ousted Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh accused SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal of coercing the Sikh clergy to “pardon” the Dera Sacha Sauda chief for his “act of blasphemy”.

Advising the community not to be swayed by the directives of “parallel” jathedars, Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh has announced he will soon convene a meeting of high priests for steps to put a stop to their activities.

The nervousness is only to be expected. The “parallel” jathedars’ heightened activity has led to a curious situation—of the official clergy seemingly following in their footsteps. There have been multiple instances of Jathedar Gurbachan Singh pronouncing hukamnamas (edicts) similar to those passed by the parallel group only days earlier.

Unofficial “interim Akal Takht Jathedar” Dhian Singh Mand excommunicated tainted SAD leader Sucha Singh Langah and Chhota Ghallughara Gurdwara management member Boota Singh on October 4. Identical decisions were then taken by Akal Takht on October 5 and October 6.

Again, when Mand awarded tankhah (punishment) to Chhota Ghallughara Gurdwara trust chief Master Johar Singh on October 12, Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh issued a similar hukamnama on October 13.

Striking back

A wary SAD-dominated SGPC is not letting pass any act of rebellion without retribution. Giani Gurmukh Singh, who had questioned the SAD president’s visit to Dera Sacha Sauda and had also spoken against the high priests’ closed-door meetings, had to lose his position as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.

Subsequently, he indirectly gave recognition to the sacked Panj Piaras ( dismissed for challenging the authority of jathedars in the dera case) by appearing before them.

He had been summoned by them as he was among the then five high priests who had granted ‘pardon’ to the dera chief.

As Gurmukh Singh also contended that the Badals were targeting high priests who did not follow their politically motivated dictates, he was moved to a Jind gurdwara. Recently, the SGPC tried to evict his family from the official residence allotted to him in the Golden Temple complex.

Before Gurmukh Singh, his predecessor Balwant Singh Nandgarh was dismissed in 2015 for protesting against amendments in the original Nanakshahi Calendar. With none of the various interests gaining a clear upper hand, the battle for official as well as moral ascendency in Sikh affairs is not likely to be resolved any time soon.

Also read: Rise of ‘parallel’ jathedars