5 years on, ban on Sikh preacher Dhadrianwale lifted

The Akal Takht on Wednesday pardoned Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale for his controversial remarks on Sikh principles and traditions.

- HT Correspondent

AMRITSAR: A row has erupted after the Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones) of Takht Patna Sahib defied a decree issued by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, and declared its acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct).

The confrontation escalated on Wednesday when Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht took serious note of the Takht Patna Sahib management's non-compliance with a 2022 directive which ordered an assessment of Patna Sahib jathedar Baldev Singh's Gurbani recitation skills and the transfer of granthi Gurdial Singh. Following continued disregard, both were barred from performing any "Panthic" (religious) duties, and the management was summoned to appear before the Akal Takht.

In a counteraction just hours later, the Panj Pyare of Takht Patna Sahib, led by jathedar Baldev Singh, rejected the Akal Takht's decree and issued their own. They accused the Amritsar-based clergy of overreach and declared that decisions made by other Takhts would neither apply to nor be recognised at Takht Patna Sahib.

Akal Takht is the supreme authority, and no one can challenge it.

Sukhbir told to appear at Takht Patna Sahib The Panj Pyare claimed that the controversy was politically motivated, accusing SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal of engineering the interference. Sukhbir has been summoned to appear before Takht Patna Sahib within 10 days or face action "as per Panthic traditions".