Global Sikh Council Slams Patna Sahib Granthis for Declaring Sukhbir Badal “Tankhaiya”, Warns of Threat to Sikh Unity

Chandigarh, July 7, 2025: The Global Sikh Council (GSC), an apex body representing Sikh institutions worldwide, has come out strongly against the recent unilateral move by five Granthis of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, who declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a “Tankhaiya,” or one guilty of religious misconduct.

Terming the declaration a grave violation of Sikh Maryada and Panthic protocol, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur issued a statement condemning the action as an attempt to undermine the supreme authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism.

“Only Sri Akal Takht Sahib has the mandate to adjudicate issues that impact the entire Panth,” Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur asserted. “Sukhbir Singh Badal is not a resident of Patna or Bihar, and the allegations against him are national in nature, far beyond the jurisdiction of a regional Takht.”

Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur underscored the historic and institutional primacy of Akal Takht, explaining that while the four other Takhts Kesgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Patna Sahib, and Hazur Sahib were established later, Akal Takht remains central to the Panth’s governance under the traditional ‘Panj Pardhani’ system.

She cited the 2003 Gurmatta passed by the Panj Singh Sahibaan reaffirming Akal Takht as the only authority to issue Panth-wide Hukamnamas, as well as a 2015 edict by then Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh that explicitly barred regional Takhts from issuing contradictory or overriding orders.

“The role of regional Takhts is to coordinate with Akal Takht, not challenge its supremacy,” Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur stressed. “This move by Patna Sahib is politically motivated and risks sowing divisions within the Sikh community.”

The GSC warned that such unilateral actions by regional Takhts could damage the sanctity of Sikh institutions and erode community unity. Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur urged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to intervene and called on the Patna Sahib management to withdraw the decree, restoring Panthic discipline.

“Undermining Sri Akal Takht Sahib weakens the very vision of Miri-Piri established by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji,” Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur concluded. “Such actions are not only anti-Gurmat and anti-Panthak, but also a disservice to the unity and spirit of the Khalsa.”