The Sikh Clergy Turmoil

In the past four months, Sikhism’s three key politico-religious institutions—the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)—have plunged into turmoil. This institutional flux has created a dangerous void that experts warn could embolden radical elements in Punjab’s socio-political landscape.

- By Anilesh S. Mahajan

The Akal Takht is the highest of the five seats of authority in Sikhism, with its jathedar or ordained leader holding a stature akin to the Pope in Catholicism. The SGPC, which manages key gurdwaras across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh, has historically appointed the Akal Takht jathedar. Meanwhile, the SAD, a dominant Sikh political party, has wielded considerable influence over both institutions. Together, these entities have shaped Sikh religious and political life for decades.

The crisis began on December 2, when the jathedars of all five Takhts, led by then Akal Takht chief Giani Raghbir Singh, demanded that the SAD accept Sukhbir Singh Badal’s resignation from the post of party president, sack its top leadership and initiate a new membership drive. While Sukhbir underwent religious punishment—after being declared tankhaiya (excommunicated) for alleged mistakes committed during the SAD rule (2007-17)—and Balwinder Singh Bhunder took over as the party’s working president, the membership drive has made little progress.