Patna Sahib clergy went beyond jurisdiction by declaring Sukhbir 'tankhaiya': SGPC chief

Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee ( SGPC ), the largest representative body of Siks, on Saturday said the Takht Sri Patna Sahib clergy had gone beyond its religious jurisdiction by declaring Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct).

In a statement, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the decision by Takht Sri Patna Sahib's panj pyare (the five beloved ones) had created confusion within the panth ( Sikh community ). Dhami said traditions and customs were meant to resolve issues of the community, and not to deepn a crisis. He emphasised that undermining the supremacy of Akal Takht Sahib was inappropriate and warned that such actions could lead to internal discord within the Sikh community.

He acknowledged that while Takht Sri Patna Sahib held great respect within the Sikh world, the authority to deliberate on panthic (communal) matters lay solely with Akal Takht Sahib. Dhami said there had been a longstanding tradition of panthic issues being addressed jointly by the five Singh Sahibs under the leadership of Akal Takht. "It is this very tradition that has uplifted the Sikh community on the global stage," he said.

He warned that if the supremacy of Akal Takht would be challenged by other takhts, Sikh traditions would be damage severely.

Mann, Sarna slam move too

SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) former chief Paramjit Singh Sarna also spoke out against Takht Patna Sahib clergy's move.

Mann called the actions a direct violation of Sikh religious protocols, shared traditions, and the supreme authority of Akal Takht. "This is not merely a minor disagreement or dispute, but a conspiracy targeting the prestige, unity, and historical institutions of the Sikh community and Akal Takht. The community needs to be vigilant as the BJP is trying to trap Sikhs in their plans," he said.

Mann appealed to the jathedars of all five Takhts, religious scholars, and Sikh institutions to unite, take a firm stand against violations of Sikh protocols, and bring the truth to the people.

He accused the Centre and RSS of infiltrating Sikh institutions to create divisions within the Sikh community. Sarna called the directive a challenge to Sikh traditions and the authority of Akal Takht. "This decision seems to be influenced by forces working behind the scenes to undermine Sikh traditions and customs. Previously, a decision made by them regarding the jathedar of Akal Takht was also suspected to be influenced by anti-Sikh forces. These decisions lack any legitimate basis or authority," he argued.