Punjab Outlook

Amritsar:Sikh thinker and Punjab BJP spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala has expressed grave apprehensions that Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, allegedly close to Sukhbir Singh Badal, may be covertly implementing a hidden, anti-Panthic agenda of Parmjeet Singh Sarna—President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Delhi State—aimed at creating doubts over the doctrinal unity of the five Takht Sahibs and the long-established Panthic tradition of Hukamnamas. He has appealed to Sikh denominations and various Panthic organisations to remain vigilant.
Prof. Khiala stated that the controversy created by Giani Gargajj by projecting the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib as separate from the Takht, in the context of summoning Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, reflects the same mindset and agenda earlier advanced by the Sarna brothers through a so-called “Sikh Convention” held on April 11, 2010, at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, New Delhi, when Parmjeet Singh Sarna was President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. During that convention, questions were raised on the authenticity of the Panthic tradition of Hukamnamas issued with the participation of the Jathedars of the five Takhts, and demands were made to annul them collectively.
He said that even if the immediate objective was to mobilise support in favour of Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi—who had been expelled from the Panth on charges of Guru-blasphemy—the process unmistakably sought to weaken the doctrinal unity of the five Takhts and the established Panthic authority of Hukamnamas. “It is no secret how close the relations are between Giani Gargajj and the Sarna brothers,” Prof. Khiala added.
Prof. Sarchand Singh further stated that during the same period, Giani Gargajj and his associates not only facilitated but actively played a role in organising programmes of Prof. Darshan Singh in deliberate disregard of the Hukamnamas, thereby openly challenging Sri Akal Takht Sahib. As per Panthic Rehat Maryada, anyone who supports a ‘Tankhaiya’ is also considered a ‘Tankhaiya’. He questioned whether Giani Gargajj has ever sought forgiveness before the Panj Pyare or performed an Ardas of rectification for this Panthic and religious disobedience. “If not, then either he must admit his fault or clarify whether these principles and Maryadas do not apply to him,” Prof. Khiala asserted.
He also reminded that on August 6, 2025, Giani Gargajj himself had awarded Tankhah (religious punishment) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to office-bearers of two Jammu-based Gurdwara committees for allegedly violating the Hukamnama related to Prof. Darshan Singh.
In this regard, Prof. Khiala has written to the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib seeking clarification on whether Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj has been absolved of the charge of being a ‘Tankhaiya’ in the Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi case. He asked that if no rectification was carried out, then under which Panthic tradition or authority is he continuing to hold the office of Jathedar.
Prof. Khiala alleged that Giani Gargajj deliberately violated the Hukamnama and, contrary to the orders of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, fully supported and encouraged programmes of Prof. Darshan Singh. He stated that concrete evidence of this is available in the form of published newspaper reports. He cited the programme held at Jandiala Guru on January 13, where Giani Gargajj reportedly stated that Prof. Darshan Singh’s Kirtan programmes would continue in future as well—an open act of defiance at a time when Prof. Darshan Singh had already been declared a ‘Tankhaiya’ by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
He reiterated that Sri Akal Takht Sahib, through its Hukamnama, had directed the entire Sangat not to extend any kind of support to Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi and to strictly enforce this आदेश. Despite this, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj allegedly committed open defiance and religious disobedience of the Takht’s orders.
Providing background, Prof. Khiala said that Prof. Darshan Singh was summoned on December 5, 2009, following objectionable remarks about Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji made at a Gurdwara in Rochester, USA, on November 17, 2009. However, he failed to appear before the five Singh Sahibs at the Secretariat. Consequently, he was declared a ‘Tankhaiya’ for gross disrespect to Guru Panth and the dignity, Maryada, and principles of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Hukamnama clearly instructed that until he underwent Tankhah, he should not be allowed to perform any religious programme, nor be given a platform or support at any Gurdwara or institution, and that the Sangat must strictly comply.
Despite this, on January 29, 2010, Prof. Darshan Singh again failed to appear before the Singh Sahibs at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, leading to his declaration as a Guru-blasphemer and rebel against the Guru Panth, and he was expelled from the Panth. The Hukamnama further clarified that anyone extending support to him would also be deemed a ‘Tankhaiya’ accountable to the Guru Panth. Even earlier, on January 8, 2007, and June 6, 2008, complete bans had already been imposed on him from performing Kirtan or speaking from any stage.