Global Sikh Council Slams Takht Patna Sahib’s Overreach, Reaffirms Akal Takht’s Supreme Authority
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 7, 2025 – The Global Sikh Council (GSC), a representative body of Sikh institutions worldwide, has strongly condemned the unilateral declaration by five Granthis of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, terming Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a “Tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct).
In a statement released today, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur denounced the move as a direct violation of Sikh Maryada and Panthic protocol. She said the declaration was an attempt to undermine the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal authority in Sikhism.
Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur asserted that only Sri Akal Takht Sahib has the mandate to adjudicate Panth-wide issues. “Sukhbir Singh Badal is not a resident of Patna or Bihar. The allegations against him are national in nature and outside the jurisdiction of a regional Takht,” she said.
Highlighting the historical and institutional primacy of Akal Takht, Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur explained that while the four other Takhts — Kesgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Patna Sahib, and Hazur Sahib — were institutionalised later, Akal Takht holds the central position in the Panth’s governance under the ‘Panj Pardhani’ system.
She recalled the 2003 Gurmatta passed by the Panj Singh Sahibaan that reaffirmed Akal Takht as the only authority empowered to issue community-wide Hukamnamas. A 2015 edict by then Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had also made it clear that no regional Takht could contradict or override Akal Takht's authority.
“The role of regional Takhts is to function in coordination with Akal Takht, not to challenge its supremacy,” she said. “What has happened at Patna Sahib is politically motivated and risks fragmenting Sikh unity.”
The GSC warned that any attempt by regional Takhts to issue unilateral edicts declaring individuals as Tankhaiya undermines the sanctity and unity of the Takhats and causes internal discord within the Sikh community.
Calling on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to act against those responsible, the GSC urged the Patna Sahib management to withdraw its decree and restore Panthic discipline.
Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur concluded, “Weakening the central authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is not just a violation of Panthic norms, but a betrayal of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s vision of Miri-Piri. Such actions are anti-Gurmat, anti-Panthak, and a disservice to the unity of the Khalsa.”