Why in news?
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal was shot at near the Golden Temple while on guard duty but remained unharmed.
Badal, on a wheelchair due to a fractured foot, has been given religious punishment by the Akal Takht for alleged misrule during the SAD government (2007-2017). Other former Cabinet members are also performing atonement as ordered by the Akal Takht, including cleaning bathrooms and utensils.
What’s in today’s article?
- What is the Akal Takht?
- Functioning of Akal Takht after the passing of Guru Gobind Singh
- Appointment of Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht
- The Authority and Role of the Akal Takht Jathedar
- Relationship between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC
What is the Akal Takht?
- Establishment of the Akal Takht
- The Akal Takht was established by the sixth Sikh master Guru Hargobind in 1606 following the execution of his father, Guru Arjan Dev, by the Mughals.
- It is located opposite the Harmandir Sahib in the Golden Temple complex.
- Guru Hargobind used this platform for governance, and is believed to have issued the first directive (Hukamnama) from here, urging Sikh congregations to contribute horses and weapons to the Panth.
- Symbolism of Miri and Piri – two swords
- The Guru is said to have requested two swords, symbolising miri (temporal power) and piri (spirituality).
- The sword representing miri was slightly shorter, indicating the primacy of spiritual authority over temporal power.
- Defiance of Mughal Authority
- The Akal Takht was also a symbol and representation of the Sikh defiance of Mughal authority.
- The 12-foot-high platform of the Akal Takht was a direct challenge to Emperor Jahangir’s 11-foot-high throne in Agra and Delhi, symbolising Sikh defiance.
- Historical Significance
- The Akal Takht became a powerful symbol of Sikh governance, spirituality, and opposition to oppressive regimes.
Functioning of Akal Takht after the passing of Guru Gobind Singh
- The Akal Takht served as a key gathering point for Sikhs during periods of persecution, particularly after Banda Singh Bahadur's execution in 1716.
- Sikhs assembled there during Baisakhi and Diwali for Sarbat Khalsa meetings to make critical decisions.
- This tradition continued into the early 19th century, with Maharaja Ranjit Singh convening one of the last Sarbat Khalsa assemblies in 1805 to discuss supporting Maratha prince Jaswant Rao Holkar against the British.
Appointment of Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht
- Initial phase
- Initially, the Sarbat Khalsa appointed the Akal Takht Jathedar during annual gatherings.
- After British rule, the Darbar Sahib committee, influenced by regime-loyal leaders, controlled the appointments.
- Role of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
- With the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), established in 1920, took over the responsibility.
- Today, the SGPC governs Sikh gurdwaras in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
The Authority of the Akal Takht Jathedar
- Power
- The Jathedar of the Akal Takht is the supreme temporal and religious authority of the Sikh community, holding the final say on its affairs.
- The position requires the individual to be baptized, well-versed in Sikh history and scriptures, and free from moral flaws.
- Jurisdiction
- The Akal Takht can summon any self-identifying Sikh for trial and sentencing, with its justice applying only to those who voluntarily accept its authority.
- Religious punishments (tankhah) aim to instill humility by removing ego.
- No one has ever defied its directives
- As per the historians, no one has ever defied its directive.
- A prominent Jathedar demonstrated this authority by summoning Maharaja Ranjit Singh for a moral lapse, resulting in the Maharaja undergoing public flogging at the Akal Takht.
Relationship between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the SGPC
- The Origins of SGPC and SAD
- The SGPC and SAD share roots in the Gurdwara Reform Movement of 1920.
- The SGPC, established on November 15, 1920, was created to manage Sikh shrines, while the SAD, formed a month later, initially served as its task force to combat corrupt mahants and British interference.
- Together, they institutionalized the Khalsa identity and became central to Sikh religious and political leadership.
- The Three Pillars of Sikh Politics
- The Akal Takht, SGPC, and SAD are described as the “three poles” of Sikh politics by political scientists.
- Controlling the SGPC, which appoints the Akal Takht Jathedar, provides the SAD with significant influence due to the SGPC’s electoral structure, comprising 170 elected members out of 191.
- Akali Influence Over the SGPC
- The SAD dominated the SGPC during the 1960s and 1970s, maintaining control even as Punjab faced unrest in 1979.
- However, their influence waned when Gurcharan Singh Tohra became SGPC president in 1973, holding the post for 27 years.
- Following Tohra’s demise and the decline of militancy, the Akalis regained control.
- Critics argue that the lack of SGPC elections since 2011 has helped SAD maintain its influence.
- Influence of SAD on Akal Takht Jathedar Decisions
- The SAD’s control over the SGPC has significantly impacted the independence of the Akal Takht Jathedar, with decisions often appearing politically influenced.