Anandpur Sahib, October 6, 2026: In a joint statement issued today, the Panch Pradhani Jatha said that the alleged shameful incident that took place at a sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and brought disrepute to the sarais attached to Gurdwaras.
The Jatha said that under the principle of collective responsibility, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami, along with all executive members and members belonging to his group, are responsible for the alleged incident. It said they should accept responsibility and voluntarily step aside from the management of the committee until an inquiry committee comprising Panth-approved and competent personalities, appointed by the Guru Panth, investigates the matter in accordance with Khalsa principles and clears them of wrongdoing.
Issuing the statement, Bhai Narain Singh, Bhai Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan and Bhai Hardeep Singh Mehraj said that Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, had been appointed secretly by the Shiromani Committee without, they alleged, following Khalsa Maryada and without the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Panthic institutions.
They said that, in their view, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj is not a Panth-approved Jathedar and remains controversial. They further alleged that the orders, messages and Hukamnamas being issued by him under political pressure and influence are not in accordance with the Maryada of Akal Takht Sahib and Gurmat principles.
The Jatha said that those connected with the sequence of events, those allegedly concealing the truth and issuing misleading clarifications to present themselves as innocent, those deliberately trying to defame Sikh institutions, those opposing merely for the sake of opposition, government spokespersons, and those making statements out of jealousy, hostility or personal rivalry should refrain from such conduct.
It also appealed to channels seeking to increase views through sensationalism and to those making obscene or derogatory remarks to stay away from such a race. The Jatha said no one should attempt to defame the Guru Panth or Sikh institutions.
Panth Sewak Bhai Daljit Singh, Bhai Satnam Singh Khandewala and Bhai Satnam Singh Jhanjian said that the Khalsa Panth also needs to seriously reflect internally on how conditions within Sikh institutions have deteriorated to this extent.
They said that abandoning the Panthic method of selecting leadership in Sikh institutions and replacing it with worldly systems is one of the main reasons behind this decline. According to them, the solution can only be found by implementing the Panthic method of choosing collective leadership and taking decisions collectively.
The Panch Pradhani Jatha further said that Panthic institutions, Sampardas, organisations, Dal Panths, the Shiromani Committee, Haryana Committee, Delhi Committee, Takht Sri Patna Sahib Board, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Board, Sikh intellectuals and Panthic personalities dedicated to the Guru Panth should come together and sit on a common platform.
It called for the appointment of an inquiry committee comprising universally accepted and competent personalities to establish the truth behind the unfortunate incident.
The Jatha also called for building consensus to take collective decisions in accordance with Gurmat principles, Khalsa ideals, Panthic traditions, Sikh Maryada and the spirit of Sarbat Khalsa.
It said efforts should be made to restore the dignity of Panthic institutions and, by implementing the Guru-gifted Panch Pradhani principle, uphold the authority, supremacy and dignity of Akal Takht Sahib while remaining committed to Khalsa principles and Panthic traditions.
