American Gurdwara Committee to convene Sikh conclave on sovereign authority of Akal Takht

New York, USA (July 18, 2014): American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) has declared to organize a world Sikh conclave in United States of America (USA), India and other countries to discuss sovereign authority of the Akal Takht Sahib.

AGPC coordinator Pritpal Singh reportedly told some media sections that AGPC was peeved at the excommunication of three Sikh leaders of Haryana, bringing the current functioning of Akal Takht Jathedar under scanner.

Akal Takht Sahib [ File Photo ]

“It’s a matter of serious concern that Sikhs’ top institution is losing credibility because the supremacy and sovereignty of Akal Takht is being compromised,” he said.

He said the AGPC would invite Sikh intellectuals from all over the world to take part in the conclave to discuss the matter. “One such conclave will be organized in the US and another in India,” said Pritpal, adding that the Takht’s role was pivotal in running the Sikh affairs but it had been marred by controversies in the recent past.

President of AGPC J. S. Hothi also reacted strongly to the role of Akal Takht in the matter relating constitution of the new Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. He alleged that the Takht should have not played into the hands of certain political leaders.

He said Akal Takht belongs to the entire Panth and it should be above party-politics affiliations. Pritpal Singh said that Jathedar of the Akal Takht shouldn’t be a mere employee of SGPC which runs management of Gurdwara affairs in Punjab and its neighboring states.