The Present Position Regarding Working of Akal Takht
Gurmukh Singh
The institution of Akal Takht embodying the Miri Piri Doctrine was established by Guru Har Gobind Sahib. Most of the crucial decisionsof the panth have tradionally been taken by the Jathedar Akal Takht, in consultation with Head Granthis. The Jathedar Akal Takht is appointed by SGPC. Akal Takht and SGPC are elected by the Sikhs of Punjab who are only a fraction of Sikhs living all over the world and in various states of India. The SGPC members are elected under the authority of a central Govt Law. The Sikh Panth is thus indirectly governed by the central Government which may at times be inimical to independent existence of Sikh Panth and Sikh thought.
The Election of SGPC members is by a democratic political process, and is influenced by corrupt practises of influencing voters by electoral malpractices. The persons offering thier names for election have the lure of positions of power and indulge in corrupt practices after being elected. The political parties come into the fray to meet their political goals.
Guru Ji gave prime importance to Piri which means teachings enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib to preach the realisation of one and only one real Being, Parbrahm. The Sikhs of Guru Granth sahib are truthful, self effacing, fair, just and have a virtuous conduct.The existing institution of Akal Takht has minimal Guidance from Guru Granth Sahib in matters of good truthful conduct. The Guru Granth Sahib has no role in the Guidance of Akal Takht.
The present Akal Takht is predominantly a political entity and by its very nature has to be crafty, has to speak lies when situtation demands. The Takht has to please the political masters to gain their favours and stay in favour.The Takht and its advisers have superficial knowledge of Gurbani teachings, yet relishes in issuing Hukamnamas to Sikh Intellectuals and browbeat them into submission, The Sikh Dharam was not meant to be governed by the clergy.
The future of Sikh Dharam in the hands of Sikh clergy is thus bleak.Sikhs who understand and practice teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, who are housholders, who earn their living by honest means, who take active interest in social welfare are natural preachers of Sikh Dharam, by example and by preaching.
Need for Formation of a new Panthic Organisation.
The fast modes of communication and transport, and economic interdependence of nations has changed the world into a global village. The Sikhs in all parts of the world have to respect and honour their oath of allegiance to their adopted country and also to follow the Spiritual path of Sikh dharam as preached by Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture representing the Sikh Gurus.
The aim of the present seminar should be to formulate the constitution of a global panthic organisation to preach the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, and guide sikhs and the Sikh panth. The organisation for governance of the sikhs should represent sikhs from all over the world and should be built from the grass roots.
The sikhs should have an electoral commission who should dilineate suitable constituencies whereever sikhs reside. The members to be elected for panthic governance should have the following qualifications.
Should be Sabat Soorat Kesa Dhari Sikhs. Should be well eductated.They may be engineers, doctors, lawyers, defence serving or retired personnel, intelligence personnel and or well educated in any other speciality. They should be able to guide the panth in all fields of governance including the political field. They should be householders working to earn their living by honest means, They should have impeccable verifiable credentials.Those who are desirous of preaching Sikh dharam should be well versed in Gurbani teachings,should be able to do Katha of Gurbani in punjabi language and preferably also in English language and the language of the country in which they reside. They should be practicing the teachings of Gurbani and doing Gurmat meditation at home and in Sat Sangat.
The system of election should be by choosing the most suitable candidates on the principle of Panj Pyaras. Every constituency should choose Panj Pyaras with a leader.
If we can frame the constitution of such a Panthic governing council, the advisory powers and any other powers of the council can then be laid down. We should be able to declare and prove from Gurbani teachings, in any world forum of religions that Sikh Dharam is Sarva Srasht Dharam among all the religions of the world. Gurbani and Gurmat Naam Simran is a supreme Science of the Supreme being. The teachings of Sikh dharam can be taught in universities in the light of modern knowledge of Consciousness which pervades the whole Universe. What is needed is excellence of mental faculties and devotion to the cause of preaching the true Naam Dharam.
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