Test for Akal Takht

Akal Takht, the supreme Sikh body, is struggling to discipline Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, who is facing growing criticism over his interpretation of Gurbani and Sikh history and consequently, his sermons to his congregations.
The conflict is threatening to become a flashpoint within the community over the interpretation of Gurbani and Sikh history. Dhadrianwale’s opponents, including two factions of Damdami Taksal, question his interpretation of Gurbani and some historical texts and claim it amounts to blasphemy. However, his followers are quick to disagree, claiming his teachings are contemporary, motivational and very close to reason. Dhadrianwale himself claims that some interpretations by Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma and Taksal faction led by Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala along with other traditional Sikh groups are not just eclipsing originality of Sikhism but also run contrary to its basic tenets.

The murderous attack on May 17, 2016 on Dhadrianwale, in which he had a narrow escape but lost his fellow preacher Bhupinder Singh, was the turning point that led to discord between him and Dhuma. The attack on Dhadrianwale came under strong criticism, especially over (mis)use of tradition of Chhabeel but within less than four years, ironically it is Dhadrianwale who appears in the dock.

To add to Dhadrianwale’s problems, Taksal faction led by Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, who is Dhuma’s bete noir, is now leading opposition to his preaching and interpretation of Gurbani. “My opposition to him is ideological on the issues of interpretation of Gurbani, history and revered Sikh traditions and symbols,” says Ajnala, who had in 2017 stepped down as Sarbat Khalsa-appointed jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

For that part, even most Sikh intellectuals, who have been criticising Taksal and the 2016 attack on Dhadrianwale, concede there are flaws in the 36-year-old Patiala-based Sikh preacher’s interpretation of Gurbani and his understanding and description of Sikh history. Concerned Sikhs have been advocating a solution to the standoff even as they argue that the Taksal and other groups, who have been threatening Dhadrianwale, should be restrained.

This has led to a debate within the Sikh community whether Dhadrianwale’s interpretation despite being radically different is within the confines of religious understanding or he is promoting too much rationality by pushing the element of faith aside.

Dhadrianwale has refused to appear before the five-member committee appointed by the Akal Takht Jathedar to look into the issue. This refusal has cast a shadow on the authority of Akal Takht Jathedar reflecting the erosion in authority of the Akal Takht, especially in the last two decades. Politicisation of the jathedar’s role, highly controversial decisions which faced more criticism than compliance and method and circumstances behind sackings and appointments of the Jathedars, have all contributed to the downslide.
To counter the Akal Takht jathedar, Dhadrianwale has been citing its controversial decisions, especially pardon to the Sirsa dera chief to drive home his point. Questioning fairness and moral compass of the previous jathedars, he has also cited influence of Damdami Taksal on Akal Takht jathedars and SGPC, as it is a close ally of SAD (Badal).
In these circumstances, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh is facing twin challenges of resolving the issue of interpretation and restoring the prestige and authority of Akal Takht. The problem is not just to tackle the problem but also to appear fair when political interference in work of Sikh clergy is already being debated.
There is also growing concern that failure to reconcile could lead to a bigger and bitter ideological clash. If Dhadrianwale keeps on stretching his interpretation, it can widen the split at the level of interpretation and also perhaps redefine basic understanding of Sikh faith. His excommunication can lead to alienation of thousands of Sikhs who consider him right and are sticking to him as there has been no drastic drop in the number of people coming to his congregations.
Noted Sikh author Dr Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, a former professor of history at Panjab University in Chandigarh, sums up the challenge before the Jathedar: “The present Jathedar to some extent appears reasonable but it is yet to be seen if he can completely liberate himself from clutches of the Badals. This is his test and it will depend on how he conducts himself. He should appear to be operating impartially, independently and judiciously. And if he is able to resolve the issue, then I think he will create landmark in history of Sikhs.”
Is excommunication a solution?
Dhadrianwale has been expressing apprehension about his excommunication and Dhuma-led Taksal and other related groups are strongly advocating strong action against him and even compare him with ‘anti-Sikh’ elements. However, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, unlike his predecessor, is treading quite cautiously on the issue. The jathedar’s job becomes tricky if people who like Dhadrianwale’s discourses feel he is being wronged. Although there seems to be palpable apprehension at Dhadrianwale’s HQ Gurdwara Parmeshwar Dwar, calls for his excommunication do not appear to be having any impact on his committed followers and instead he seems to be gaining sympathy.
Excommunication was very rarely used by the Akal Takht earlier and it would have great moral pressure as the person at receiving end would face nearly complete isolation from the community. However, in the last two decades a few controversial excommunications were questioned and failed to achieve such isolation.
“Sikhs usually tend to side with victims and among his followers and fans Dhadrianwale has successfully projected that he is a victim — who first faced an attempt on his life and now is being coerced by a conglomerate of clergy, Taksal, and SAD and some deras,” explains a Sikh activist.
This sentiment of victimhood is palpable during interactions with his followers. “We started watching him and supporting him after he was attacked in 2016. What was shocking that he led protests against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and faced an attempt on his life. Now, the issue of sacrilege has been sidetracked and he has been put in the dock,” said Taran Singh from Brass village near Patiala who had come to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Parmeshwar Dwar.
Hardeep Singh, another follower from the same village, said Dhadrianwale’s discourses changed his life and he was a regular to his congregations and watched his videos. “More young people are joining his congregations. He is adapting to modern idioms for contemporary times,” he said. “Time is for discussions and deliberations and the issue can be sorted out,” said Dilbag Singh and Bikram Singh, two other followers.
Gurcharan Singh of Sehra village near Rajpura, who has been following Dhadrianwale for the last 15 years, said, the ‘propaganda’ against him is not finding much traction among his followers, who were feeling that he was being wronged due to jealously. “Most of those who come to his congregations or follow him are not likely to bother if he is excommunicated because people believe he is being victimised,” he said.
‘Dialogue is the solution,’ says Akal Takht jathedar
“Controversy is not good for the community,” Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh says. “After 2016 attack, then Akal Takht jathedar and SGPC president condemned it and SGPC president called on him. Whatever his issues are, including this attack, he should give these to the five-member committee. In any civilised society such unwanted violence or threats can’t be approved. Things can be resolved through dialogue and he should sit with the committee. Impartiality of the five member panel should not be pre-judged and he should not make any issue of it.”
Avoiding a direct reply to question about erosion of Akal Takht’s authority due to controversial decisions in the last some years, the jathedar said he would not go into old decisions but was trying to work in a very balanced manner.
“I shall not do anything at my level. I shall first take report of the five-member committee and would then consult Sikh bodies and scholars. Then five Singh Sahibans would discuss and decide,” he said.
No bias, claims member of Akal Takht-appointed panel
Dr Inderjeet Singh Gogoani, member of five-person panel formed by the Akal Takht Jathedar to look into complaints about Dhadrianwale, denies that he is partial or is aligned with Damdami Taksal. “I have friendly and working relations with several organisations. I have been attending seminars held by Taksal and it is wrong to state that I owe allegiance to Taksal.”
Asked about Dhadrianwale’s pre-condition that the committee should at least condemn attack on him and recent threats of violence, Gogoani refused. “How can we comment on the attack on him as that is a legal issue? We don’t think it is proper to comment on these issues (attack and now threats by some groups). The issue before us is about his interpretation and we wish to keep ourselves confined to that. He should improve his language. The solution is there if he sits with us. He can also convey his grouses and should send his complaints to Akal Takht. He can continue holding his functions but he should correct his understanding”
My differences with him principled: Ajnala
Amrik Singh Ajnala, who heads a parallel faction of Damdami Taksal, says when Dhadrianwale faced an attempt on his life, he was among the first to rush to hospital. “I had even addressed the congregation at the ‘bhog’ of his aide Bhupinder Singh and strongly condemned the attack. I have not been maintaining any relations with Dhuma and has not even exchanged pleasantries with him since 2004. My opposition to Dhadrianwale is principled and I started opposing him when he started questioning Sikh concepts in the last couple of years. He has taken his personal fight with Dhuma to a new level and is now challenging the entire legacy of Taksal and even established concepts of the Sikh history. Both Dhuma and Dhadrianwale are at fault. First Dhuma’s men took the things to a new level by murdering his aide and then Dhadrianwale extended his fight with Dhuma to entire Taksal and then to Panthic traditions and history. I have no personal fight with him and issues should be discussed following the tradition of ‘goshti’ (discussion) given by Guru Nanak,” says Ajnala. Asked about threats by a Nihang group, he said, “I have only asked Dhadrianwale for discussions and never made any threats. I am not answerable for somebody else.” Dhuma was not available for comments despite several calls on his mobile phone
Taksal fighting in virtual world
Damdami Taksal is using its Facebook account actively to publish posts against Dhadrianwale. Its members and supporters have been relentlessly speaking out against him and its media adviser Sarchand Singh has been regularly attacking Dhadrianwale. To counter claims that Dhadrianwale is rebelling against Akal Takht, his supporters have been circulating a speech of then Damdami Taksal chief Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, in which he is heard criticizing then jathedars for telling lies and working in a very biased manner