By: Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer Professor of Sikh Studies
Equally strange is the role of the Sikh elite ‘over the treatment of the institution of ‘caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, Newly created designation of “Jahedar” for the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, too, is intriguing. In Sikhism there is no entity between Waheguru (Gox!)and Man. There sno institution of priesthood in Sikhism. Employment of a Granthi for a Gurdwara is m necessity but the Granthi does not become a distinct designation for hierarchical purposes. Similar is the status of Garotaker of Akal Takht Sahib. When Guru Hargobind Sahibleft Amritsar for Gwalior hhe asked Bhai Gurdas to take care of Akal ‘Takht. Sahib. From this very sentence a mischief took binh, Since 1984, Bhai Gurdas began to be called “the first Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib”, by a Ia. Nowhere in the history of the Sikh nation is there mention of the term Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Bhai Mani Singh is referred to as supreme most Pujari and Akali Phula Singh is referred to as the Chief of Shahcedan Mis, Baba Prem Singh Hoti wrote a book ‘on Akali Phula Singh in1914. He does not use the term Jathedar. Bhai Kahan Singh ‘Nabha completed Mahan Kosh (Encyclopedia of Sikh Literature) on February 6, 1926. It was published in 1930. In this Encyclopedia, too, there is an explanation of the term Jathedar and Akal Takht Sahib, but there is no mention of the term “Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib”. The term Jathedar was first used for the leader of the 25 member caretaker Jatha (band) who took over the unaligned Akal Takht Sahib on October 12, 1920, (Before that the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib was known as Sarbrahi.e, manager). Even for six or ten years after 1920, Bhai Kahan, Singh Nabha did not use the term Jathedar for the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, During the Gurdwara Reform Movement and up to 1930, Baba Kharak Singh was known as Betagj Baadshah (King without crown) of the Sikh nation. The s led Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib not figure anywhere at that time.
The Sikh intelligentsia, by not stopping the distortion of this Sikh institution, has demonstrated its impotency. The Sikh intelligentsia has acquiesced in letting the so-called Jathedarship of Akal Takht Sahib become an authentic institution, at Yeast for the time being, on the other hand, ‘one group, though very small, has also stood by anti-Sikh forces to collaborate in ‘an attempt at insulting the institution of Akal Takht Sahib. Both groups are lop sided and Machiavellian. Only a couple of Sikh intellecwals have exhibited moral ‘courage to stand up for the ruth and assert that the designation of the Jathedar of Akal Takhi Sahib is not in accordance with Sikh ideology.
Ragi Darshan Singh joined Akal Takht Sahib on December 24, 1986. He began considering himself a special person. ‘When Bhiai Jasbir Singh was released on March 4, 1988, his relatives and associates crossed all limits and began to present him as “king of the Sikh nation. His grandfather Baba Joginder Singh announced his “coronation” on March 9% 1988, No Sikh dared to stop the violation of the Sikh ideology, When Bhai Mi Singh joined, it was believed that being a student of Sikh Missionary College, he will bring an end to the mockery of Akal ‘Takht Sahib, Butsoon he became (maybe unwillingly) a part of the routine, When he visited England, Canada and the USA, he was presented with guard of honor as if the “Pope” was descending from the “heavens”. An ordinary servant of Panth as raised 10 a status not known to students of Sikh philosophy. This pomp and show is rejected by the Sikh ideology. This was like creating the class of “Sikh Brahmins” or suchlike “Special person ‘of God or Guru Sahib.” In tough words it is the rape of « Sikh institution and of the Sikh philosophy. Strange was the role of the Sikh elite in those countries, which instead of stopping it, collaborated with the guilty persons.
Similarly, appointments of friends, followers, associates etc., as caretakers of Akal Takht, of, were meant as attempts at insulting Akal Takht Sahib, Such appointes were Mohan Singh Nagoke, Partap Singh, Mohan Singh Tur, Sadhu Singh Bhaura, Kirpal Singh, Harcharan Singh Delhi etc. All of them were appointed due to their relations with the Leadership of the SGPC Bhai Jasbir Singh ‘was appointed during the period of militancy and the SGPC accepted him as a diplomatic move, Bhai Ranjit Singh was appointed in order to express sympathy (pity), support and respect for him. On the other hand the foppery, snobbery, haughtiness, arrogance and up pishness of Jathedarship had is fall at the harks of those who had created these” gods,” Sadhu Singh Bhaura, Kirpal Sink, Ragi Darshan Singh, Bhai Jasbir Singh were humiliated by the leaders of the SGPC, All of them were cither dismissed or they left after humiliation. When they left their “jobs”, they were fallen heroes, rejected leaders, insulted Granthis and were hated by the Sikhs in general, the most learned section. Of the telligentsia considers Sadhu Singh Bhaura as cheap, Kirpal Singh as a coward, Ragi Dasshan Singh as crooked and greedy and Jasbir Singh as a phony and a hooligan. Since 1962, excepting Jaihedar Gurdial Singh Ajnoha, none of the caretakers of Akal Takht Sahibcan be considered as men of high Sikh ethical values, None of them can be bracketed with Bhai Mani Singh or Akali Phula Singh.
The unaugment of Akal Takht Sahib, since 1962 particularly, can be called “hijacking” of the institution of Akal Takht Sahib. ‘The appointing authorities and the appointees, both tried to hijack Akal Takht Sahib for their own vested interests. The greatest harm has been done by the newly created post of Jathedarship. The authorities”, which appoint a caretaker of ‘Akal Takht Sahib have generally considered themselves as kingmakers. On the other hand the caretakers regarded themselves as the “masters” and most of them wished that the Sikh nation should function, progress and even exist according to their (caretakers) whims. They did not believe themselves to the servants or the spokesmen of the nation but as judges and rulers or at least something superior, someone between Almighty and a Sikh, There are instances when the so-called Jathedar was presented even as a monstrous being.
Akal Takht Sahib belongs to the whole of the Sikh nation, Its caretaker (by no means Jathedar. Akal Takht Sahib is not an organization which may have a chief ic. Jathedar) must represent the whole of the Sikh nation. The position can be named “Custodian” or “Caretaker.” In Punjabi ‘Muh Sewadar is a fine term. Or the Sikh nation can select a Jathedar of Sarbat Khalsa. The selected person must be a consensus candidate, acceptable to all those Sikh organizations which are loyal to Akal Takht Sahib. The person who is chosen as caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib should be bold but not haughty, he should be candid but not arrogant, he should be fearless but not aggressive, he should be impartial, leaned, committed and perfectly Rehatdhari (one who acts upon Sikh Code of Conduct). Such a person. will be a proper caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib or the Jathedar of Sarbat Khalsa. Vaheguruji’s Khalsa Vaheguruji’s Fateh Bibliography. 1. A chapier of the author’s forthcoming book, Akal Takht Sahib, second edition, (Ed) A. T. Kerr, 1995. ‘For more details Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Awatar Singh Sckhon—The Sikhs’ Struggle for Sovereignty, Harbir S. Bhanwar—Diary De Panay, Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon—Jndia Commits Suicide, Harjinder Singh Dilgeer—Khalistan Di Twarikh; Oppression in Punjab. 2 Who Are Guilty ? gives details of the genocide of the Sikhs, It lists about 200 names of the leaders of the killer gangs. Several of them were honored by Rajiv Gandhi with berths in Cabinet or with other incentives as rewards for their achievements. None of the Killers was ever punished on the other hand those ‘who compiled this report was arrested for telling the truth. It’s interesting to note that the Indians expressed their sympathy for harassment of Taslima Nasreen of Bangla Desh, for writing a novel on the similar (but minor situation), named Lajja; but India itself prosecuted those who had revealed the names of the killers.
3 Ragi Darshan Singh appeared in a court of law, on April 29, 1994 and was cross-examined for about four hours (11.25 to 15,05) at the Law Office of Murray, Jacob and Abel, 601, King Street, Alexandria, Virginia. The lawyers present for cross-examination included Richard Murray, Christian D, Abel, Jeanne Swanick Laver ic. Darshan Singh appeared to give evidence against Bhai Manjit Singh’s letter, issued as caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, with regard to the selection of the management for Gurdwara “Sikh Foundation of Virginia.”
4 Balwinder Pal Singh—Khalsa Panth Da Marzikaran, an article published in Sant Sipaki, July 1994, pp. 20.23; Gurbhajan Singh Gill —AkalTakhtSahib DeTehluay Jan Jathedar, an article published in SantSipahi, July 1994,pp.24.26, $ For details see Ah Ghanie Di Lammi Behas Magron Pishaura Sink Nen Har Kivayn Manni, weekly Punjab Times, Derby, England, Ooiober 12, 1994, pp, 34942.
6Gurbhajan Singh Gill—Akal Takhe Sahib DeTehluay Jan Jathedar, wn article published in Sant Sipahi, July 1994, pp, 4.2%. 7 Punjab Times weekly, dated S 7, 1994, p. 1. This author believes are Nhe [alent Wana feke one’ # for details, Punjab Times, dated Sep tember 7, 1994. p. 11. This concludes Dr. Dilgeer’s article on the Akal Takht.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 28, 1995
