Appointment of jathedars: Differences between major Sikh groups grow bigger

Amritsar: A fresh controversy erupted following the rejection of the newly appointed jathedars by the Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta. While the Sangrawan faction of the Damdami Taksal welcomed the appointments, the Ajnala faction opposed both the appointments and the removal of the former jathedars, further widening the wedge between the three factions of the prominent Sikh seminary.
On Sunday, the supreme council of Navi Mumbai Gurdwara threw its weight behind the Chowk Mehta faction led by Harnam Singh Dhamma and demanded reinstatement of the jathedars removed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Jaspal Singh Sidhu, chairman of the supreme council of Navi Mumbai Gurdwara, said they had written to the SGPC urging the executive committee to reconsider its decision before the annual budget session of the Sikh body, scheduled for March 28.
At the same time, Sidhu warned: "Failure to uphold the panthic interests may result in strong opposition from the Sikh sangat worldwide, including peaceful protests and panthic boycotts."
Sikh theologian Harjeet Singh said the decision to reject the newly appointed jathedars has significantly weakened the influence of the Ajnala faction of the Damdami Taksal.
"The so-called panthic gathering at Sri Anandpur Sahib, where the rejection of the newly appointed jathedars was announced, had no more than 200 to 250 people," said Harjeet Singh, adding: "No Nihang chiefs, leaders of the Sudhar Lehar, missionaries, or prominent saints were present at the event."
This highlights the lack of support for the decision, said Harjeet Singh.
Rajandeep Singh, spokesperson of Damdami Taksal, Sangrawan faction, said the appointment of jathedars was made through a set procedure. He said the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, himself visited the house of Giani Ram Singh, the chief of the Damdami Taksal, Sangrawan.
Giani Ram Singh himself was a granthi for 11 years, including three years as the head granthi of the Golden Temple, said the spokesperson.
On the other hand, the chief of the Damdami Taksal, Ajnala, Bhai Amrik Singh, said he opposed both Harnam Singh Dhamma and Bhai Ram Singh. "I oppose the procedure adopted to relieve and terminate the jathedars and the appointment of the new jathedars by the SGPC," he said.