Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Santokh Singh
Sri Akal Takht Sahib is most revered and important institution of Sikhism. Without studying Sikh doctrine and philosophy one cannot understand this institution.
Sikhism does not believe in mythology and is a most scientific, unique and practical religion, which caters, spiritual as well as worldly aspirations. Spiritually one attains the status of gods and also uplifted socially culturally and politically.
Guru Nanak was not only a spiritual prophet, but also a great sociologist and humanist. He was not a reformist but a prophet of a unique modern religion. Socrates, a great philosopher who advocated logic and reason was of the view that there can never be peace in this world, unless the same person is saint and king. Guru Nanak’s doctrine creates saint and king in the same person.
By the passage of time, Guru created different institutions. The institutions of Sangat and Pangat were created for spiritual and social uplift of mankind. Gurru Nanak denounced Brahminical idelogy and established egalitarian society through these institutions. Guru laid stress on universal education and better health. A central place for spiritualism was constructed at Amritsar. Guru compiled Guru Granth Sahib and installed it in Harmandir Sahib.
After the construction of Harmandir Sahib and installation of eternal Sabad Guru there, the Guru created the institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is God’s throne with promise of justice and sovereignty to humanity. This is a Guru created Takht and other Takhts are man made, so those cannot be equated with this Takht, which is supreme. Sikh history revolves around this institution and Sikhs always draw their political inspiration from Akal Takht. Till there were doctrinated and devoted Sewadars like Bhai Mani Singh and Akali Phula Singh, Sikhism flourished.
Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the most important chapter of Sikh doctrine. Guru has blended spiritualism and politics. This is known as the doctrine of Miri-Piri. Under this doctrine, the saint has power. Power is under the control of spirituality and morality, so that humanity is best served. This doctrine guarantees the morality of politicians. It is unfortunate and sad that Brahmanism does not understands this doctrine. What to speak of ordinary Indians, the well learned personalities criticised Guru Gobind Singh for practising this doctrine. Mr M K Gandhi remarked that Guru Gobind Singh should not have used sword against Mughal tyranny. Similarly, Rabinder Nath Tagore wrote that Guru Nanak created saints and Guru Gobind Singh transformed them into soldiers.
After annexation of Punjab British imperialism brought this institution under the control of immoral and selfish Mahants. They used them to weaken and adulterate Sikh doctrine. British promoted Arya Samaj in Punjab with the objective of merging Sikhism into Hinduism. Their aim was to decimate the doctrine of Miri Piri.
Later on British establishment in London was impressed by the performance of Sikh soldiers in the battle of Saragarhi. At the time of 1st World War Sikh population in India was less than 1%, but Sikh soldiers won seventy percent gallantry awards. This convinced the British to have a soft corner for Sikhs. Some altruistic, enlightened and indoctrinated Sikhs snatched the control of Sri Akal Takht Sahib from priest mahant alliance. Subsequently they librated snatched historical Gurdwaras from selfish and immoral mahants; and handed over the same to Panth. Selfish Sikhs sided with mahants and British rulers, but altruistic Sikhs made sacrifices as per Sikh traditions.
British were very cunning and clever and always used their political position for manipulations. They introduced western methodology for Gurdwara management. British knew the strength of Sikh soliders and weakness of Sikh politicians. Democracy is a system to govern people by numbers without caring for ethics. A religion cannot be run by adopting the concept of numbers and forgetting quality. Religions are administered by morality and strict enforcement of religious philosophy, tenets and doctrine. Sikhs administered their religious institutions for more than a century by adopting the Guru created method of consensus. They became sovereign from Mughal yoke and established a mighty kingdom. But when ‘“ they became selfish and sought guidance from Brahminical ideology instead of the doctrine of Miri Piri, they lost the kingdom. Selfishness, hypocrisy, sycophancy, and immorality have no place in Sikhism. Democratic method for election of SGPC members has totally ruined Sikh character. Members are elected by using all unfair means including drinks. Authoritarian politicians controlling the affairs allot tickets to dummy persons for SPGC membership. Such members never dare to disobey authoritarian politicians. These SPGC members elect SPGC executive and that executive nominates the sewadar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. So fake Akalis have created present mess and they are ruining the institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib for their personal and political interests. They are corrupting the sewadars and denigrating the high post. While introducing the doctrine of Miri-Piri, Guru kept politics under religion, so that politicians maintain morality and higher values of life. These fake Akalis by their manipulations are openly defying Guru by placing religion under politics. Any sewadar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib who does not toe their line is dismissed like a daily wager. Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and its sewadars are two different things and not synonymous. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme. Sewadar’s reverence depends on his high morality, devotion, dedication, knowledge, impartiality, altruism, ability and the confidence of Guru Panth he enjoys. He has no power to issue Hukamnamas. Only Guru can issue Hukamnama. Sewadar is to declare and make efforts to get the Hukamnamas implemented issued by Guru Panth. He cannot edit blasphemous books like Gurubilass Patshahi sixth.
Imperialists whether Mughals, British or Brahmins do not like the Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib which gurantees, justice and sovereignty to humanity. Guru Panth must awaken to get rid of fake Akalis who are ruining this fine Institution at the instance of Brahaminism, for their petty interests and they are selling the religion for a song. SGPC has miserably failed to serve Sikh interests, rather it is a parasite on Sikhism. There is no other way out except a movement to enlighten Sikh masses and to bring fake Akalis under religious control. No religion of the world has adopted democracy for running their religious affairs. We must follow the procedure practised by our Guru. No Guru was selected by votes. Great Sikhs like Bhai Mani Singh, Banda Singh Bahadur, Nawab Kapoor Singh, Baba Deep Singh, S. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Akali Phula Singh were never elected, but were selected by consensus by Guru Panth.
SGPC does not represent global Sikhs and represents only Punjab. A large section of well-educated and enlightened Sikhs is not represented by SPGC. Sewadar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib must be the representative of Global Sikhs. Creation of a Global Sikh Organisation is an urgent requirement of Panth. Let altrustic intellectuals come forward and provide alternative to illiterate, semi- educated and selfish fake Akali Jathedars. Supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib must be maintained and Sikh masses rever the sewadars. Let the world know that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is everlasting blend of religion and politics for egalitarian global society. Sikhs should also approach UNO for declaring sovereign status for Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
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