By Asia Samachar | Panjab |
The Akal Takht on Monday pardoned UK-based preacher Harinder Singh of Nirvair Khalsa Jatha and four others after they appeared before the Amritsar-based Sikh body and sought forgiveness for past actions.
The decisions were finalised at a meeting of the five Singh Sahibaan led by Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj.
Harinder Singh’s case drew particular attention, as he apologised for controversial statements previously deemed contrary to Sikh principles. One of the complaints was on speculation over the circumstances surrounding Guru Nanak’s death.
His long-standing restriction on preaching was lifted on the conditions that he adheres fully to the Panth-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada and avoid factional criticism.
He was assigned two days of utensil-washing sewa at Sri Harmandir Sahib, two days of prescribed prayers, and required to offer karah prasad and deposit funds in the golak before a forgiveness ardas. In Sikh parlance, this is called tankah.
“It’s a full permission to do Sikhi parchaar on all platforms,” one jatha member said in a message shared with Asia Samachar.
VIEW VIDEO RELEASED BY NKJ AT ITS FACEBOOK PAGE
Harinder’s jatha have performed kirtan programmes in Malaysia and Thailand, drawing full houses at local gurdwaras. He is expected to do kirtan programmes in both countries later this month.
One of the complaints against Harinder was on speculation over the circumstances surrounding Guru Nanak’s death.
In January 2025, the Akal Takht lifted a controversial ban on another popular Sikh preacher, Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, over allegations of misinterpreting the Gurbani.
Such moves had sparked widespread debate on banning and excommunication as tools within the Sikh faith. The Akal Takht had occasionally excommunicated Sikh public figures, including preachers, politicians and former jathedars.
MORE ON AKAL TAKHT AND EXCOMMUNICATIONS
In one commentary, it has been alleged that a study of complaints and calls made to the Akal Takhat to “take action” against Sikh preachers in the past five years shows that all of them were made by people affiliated with the Taksali, dera and sampardayi traditions.
“Such a situation raises the question of the institution of Akal Takhat and the excommunication process being used as a tool by Taksali, dera and sampardayi people against those parcharaks who belong to other traditions,” wrote Sikh author Karminder Singh Dhillon.
VALHOTA, OTHERS PARDONED
At today’s session, the Akal Takht also pardoned was Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjit Singh who admitted to remarks undermining Sikh distinctiveness during an event in South India. He was ordered to perform sewa at Sri Harmandir Sahib, recite Gurbani for five days, and distribute 500 copies of Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha’s ‘Ham Hindu Nahin’.
Jaswant Singh, Director of the Punjab Language Department, apologised for organising inappropriate cultural performances during the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Srinagar. He must perform sewa at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, recite Gurbani for four days and distribute 100 copies of Principal Satbir Singh’s work.
In another major decision, the Takht lifted the political ban on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) politician Virsa Singh Valtoha after he apologised for derogatory statements against Panthic figures. He was assigned extensive sewa across major Takhts and 11 days of scriptural recitation.
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh was granted pardon for his widely criticised 2015 decision involving Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. He, too, was directed to undertake sewa and Gurbani recitation as part of his religious penalty.
The five panel member included Harmandir Sahib Granthi Giani Keval Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Head Granthi Juginder Singh and Akal Takht Panj Pyara Mangal Singh.
RELATED STORY:
Rethinking Sikh governance: SGPC failings and call for global reform (Asia Samachar, 14 July 2025)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
