Jathedar removal deepens Sikh politico-religious crisis: Experts

It will be a tightrope walk for SAD as it will be prime target for orchestrating the crisis: Scholars

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: The removal of Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Takht Keshgarh jathedar Giani Sultan Singh by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday deepened the crisis and appended the outrage in the Sikh community, building up after December 2, when the Sikh clergy announced punishment for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders particularly Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Experts and other religious figures believe that Friday's developments have further pushed SAD into the religio-political muddle and the party will be the prime target for orchestrating the crisis by not accepting the clergy's verdict of letting a seven-member Takht-constituted committee supervise its reorganisation.

The present crisis has led to the ouster of three jathedars by the SGPC (whose general house comprises the majority of members belonging to SAD) within one month, including the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh as jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib on February 10.

"Jathedars in the present system have been victims of the politics. They are being appointed by the SGPC and removed by the same body. The question here arises whether they represent the entire community or not," asked Hardeep Singh, an independent SGPC member.

"One good thing about the three jathedars, removed now, is that they have walked out with a clean image," he said, adding that a correction in the system of appointment is needed, otherwise the clergy will continue to be embarrassed.

Jagrup Singh Sekhon, former head of the political science department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, said that clergy overstepped their jurisdiction while pronouncing the December 2 decree.