SGPC reaches out to Sikh sects, saints ahead of Panthic meet over Akal Takht’s action against CM Bhagwant Mann

AMRITSAR: Following the directives issued by Akal Takht and in view of the challenges currently confronting the Sikh Panth, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has convened a Panthic gathering at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall on July 5.To invite Sikh organisations and leaders of various Sikh sects to participate in the meeting, SGPC President Harjinder Singh and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh met with them and formally handed over invitation letters.The Sikh leaders presented invitations to prominent religious figures, including Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh, 96th Karori, chief of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal; Baba Ghala Singh of Nanaksar Kaleran; Baba Hakam Singh; Resham Singh Barnala; Baba Jagjit Singh Lopowale; and several other Sikh saints and leaders.During these meetings, extensive and meaningful discussions were held on the challenges currently facing Panthic institutions and other issues concerning the Sikh community. They also discussed the situation arising from Akal Takht's declaration of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann as a "Guru Dokhi" (betrayer of the Guru) and "Khalsa Panth Virodhi" (opponent of the Khalsa Panth), said a release issued by the SGPC.

Sikh body Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh, while referring to the recent developments at Akal Takht, said, "Our meet on 4 July at Gurdwara Shaheedan will collectively reflect on the direction of the Panth and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Panthic unity, the authority of Akal Takht Sahib and the institutions that safeguard Sikh principles and doctrine."Meanwhile, referring to the developments at Akal Takht, Sehajdhari Sikh Party National President Dr PS Ranu said the events of the previous day marked a significant reassertion of the authority and supremacy of the Takht over temporal and political power.In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Ranu said that the party had labelled the entire event as completely unconstitutional and contrary to the core spirit of the Indian Constitution. However, the party highly appreciated the fair and unbiased conduct of Jathedar Akal Takht, Sri Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who managed the proceedings with absolute impartiality.He said that in an official communication previously sent to the Jathedar, the Sehajdhari Sikh Party had warned that allowing such practices sets a highly dangerous precedent. The party raised concerns that this could open the floodgates for other religious institutions to replicate similar interventions in the near future, blurring the lines between religion and state governance.