A significant international movement is gaining momentum within the global Sikh community, driven by growing unease over the perceived influence of established religious bodies on Sikhism's highest spiritual authorities. A delegation of prominent Sikh business leaders and intellectuals from across the world is currently in Punjab, holding crucial consultations with various Panthic organisations.
Addressing Allegations of External Influence
The initiative stems from deep-seated concerns within the Sikh diaspora regarding recurring media reports. These reports allege that the decisions and directives of the Sikh high priests, or Jathedars, are being unduly influenced by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and its political affiliate, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). This has raised serious questions about the impartiality and moral independence of the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikh authority.
Rajwinder Singh from Switzerland, who is leading the global delegation, stated that Sikhs worldwide are distressed and disappointed by these allegations. He highlighted the recent confrontation between the Akal Takht and the Punjab government over the issue of 328 missing saroops (volumes) of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a symptomatic crisis. "This situation is extremely concerning for Sikhs across the globe," he remarked, emphasizing that such direct conflicts should never occur.
Blueprint for Autonomy and Transparency
The delegation's primary objective is to foster unity among trusted Sikh bodies and establish an independent international committee. This committee's foremost mandate would be a two-fold mission: to ensure the complete financial independence of the Akal Takht Secretariat and to institute a transparent, autonomous process for electing Sikh high priests.
Rajwinder Singh explained that the delegation has been meeting with organisations in the Malwa and Doaba regions and is now engaging with groups in Majha. The goal is to identify Panthic bodies that command the highest trust and credibility among Sikhs globally. These organisations would then collectively form the proposed international committee, which would include Sikh businessmen, intellectuals, and respected religious figures. He clarified that the committee is open to including representatives from the SGPC as well.
Financial Independence as the Cornerstone
The delegation has concluded that financial autonomy is the key to safeguarding institutional integrity. Dr. Sonia Kaur from Sweden stressed the critical need to uphold the independence of the Akal Takht, particularly in processes related to honorariums and administration. She suggested that an international committee could provide essential guidance and oversight while respecting core Sikh traditions.
Surinder Singh from Austria elaborated on the practical vision. He argued that if the Akal Takht Secretariat becomes self-sufficient, the high priests would no longer need to rely on the SGPC for their honorariums. "The income generated from the estates and properties owned by the Akal Takht Secretariat would be sufficient to meet all operational and administrative expenses," he said.
Significantly, the delegation reports strong backing from the diaspora. Rajwinder Singh confirmed that foreign-based Sikh businessmen have already expressed their readiness to make substantial donations to establish an endowment for the Akal Takht Secretariat's financial self-reliance. This global initiative represents a concerted effort to restore faith in the sanctity and independent functioning of Sikhism's highest institutions.
