Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president has asked for suggestions, advice from people for appointment as Jathedar of Akal Takht. It is a welcome move.
Every Sikh has utmost regards for Akal Takht and each one of them was must have been pained over the removal of Jathedars unceremoniously, even insulted on social media by paid trolls at the behest of others.
The tenure of Akal Takht Jathedar should be 5 years. Pension should be given to him, so that he may be able to live happily. No re-employment anywhere thereafter, should be made mandatory.
He should be selected by the elected members of SGPC in a majority vote. No voting by employees of SGPC, like the “Head Granthi” and other Jathedars should have any vote to elect the Jathedar. The voter register should be made public.
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As far as the removal procedure is concerned, he may be removed by 3/4th majority of votes by the SGPC, on grounds of moral turpitude. There should be no ad hoc powers with the SGPC President or executive body regarding removal of the Akal Takht Jathedar.
Demand to remove Jathedar must be made in writing by at least 1/4th members of SGPC house.
All elected members of SGPC should form the electorate for electing the Jathedar.
Sikh Gurdwara bodies registered with SGPC which pay ‘daswand’ one-tenth to SGPC should be eligible to vote, like those in Kolkata, Kanpur and so on.
Haryana and Delhi Gurdwara Committee members should also be allotted 5 to 10 votes.
Patna and Nanded boards may be allotted 2 to 5 votes.
Chief Khalsa diwan, Sikh deras which believe and adopt ‘Sikh Rehat Maryada’ as published by SGPC, should enroll them as voters after paying the ‘daswand’.
The NRI Gurdwara Committees overseas should also be permitted to vote and enrolment should be done in this regard. Highly distinguished Sikh scholars, writers, retired army officers, judges, IAS/IPS, social service, men of repute may be made members to vote, by the SGPC.
SGPC should start registration of their names seeking applications from them on a nominal fee. They should be made permanent voters in such elections.
Taksals, Nihang ‘jathebandi’ (organisations), Kar Seva Babas, not accepting and obeying Sikh Rehat maryada must not be allowed to influence selections of Jathedars or to vote.
Obeisance to Sikh tenets and observance of Sikh Rehat Maryada be made a basic concept of Sikhism and must for voters in such elections.
Selection of Akal Takht Jathedar be made in a very democratic manner with some stipulations like knowledge of Sikh dharma and Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Every voter should be considered as Sikh institution and not merely a person. Few Sikh personalities as of now are like Sikh institutions.
Now, it is the duty of every voter of SGPC to elect those educated as members of the SGPC. After all, an educated person can work towards flourishing Sikhism.
Santokh Singh Sandhawalia
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