A significant religious dispute has emerged within the Sikh community, as former students of the prominent Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal have formally sought intervention from the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. The group, operating under the banner of Damdami Taksal International, has approached the officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, requesting religious action against the current chief of the Taksal for allegedly violating a key edict.
The Core Allegation: A Seating Arrangement Breach
The controversy centers on an incident that reportedly took place during a recent function in Nagpur. The event was organized to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. During the ceremony, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was in parkash (installed with reverence) at the venue. The complainants allege that Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma sat on a bench with his legs extended downwards, rather than in the traditional cross-legged posture.
Ranjit Singh, president of the Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale and a former Taksal student linked to Damdami Taksal International, stated that they appealed to officiating Jathedar Giani Gargaj to take note of this violation. He emphasized that the act contravened a specific directive from the Akal Takht.
Violation of the 2013 Hukamnama
The group claims Dhumma's actions directly flouted a hukamnama (edict) issued by the Akal Takht on November 22, 2013. Ranjit Singh explained that this directive clearly states that benches should only be installed in the veranda outside the parkash area of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This 2013 order was itself issued to provide clarity after the Sikh congregation (sangat) reportedly misinterpreted or misused an earlier hukamnama from July 8, 2009, concerning the use of chairs and seating arrangements during parkash.
"This is a grave violation of the hukamnama," said Ranjit Singh, underscoring the seriousness with which the former students view the incident.
Call for Action and Precedent Concerns
The former students have accused Harnam Singh Dhumma of setting a wrong precedent in the implementation of panthic maryada, the Sikh code of religious conduct. They argue that as the head of a respected seminary historically associated with figures like the controversial Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale—the 14th chief of Taksal—Dhumma's actions carry significant weight and could lead to wider misinterpretation of religious protocols.
"We urged the officiating jathedar to take religious action against the Taksal chief, as the issue severely hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs," Ranjit Singh added, highlighting the emotional and spiritual impact of the alleged breach.
The appeal to the Akal Takht represents a formal internal mechanism within Sikhism to address disputes concerning religious discipline and practice. The outcome of this appeal is now awaited, as it touches upon the interpretation of edicts and the conduct of high-profile religious figures during solemn ceremonies.
