Giani Gurbachan Singh

Honorable Jathedar
Giani Gurbachan Singh
ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਜਥੇਦਾਰ
ਗਿਆਨੀ ਗੁਰਬਚਨ ਸਿੰਘ
30th Jathedar of Akal Takht
In office
August 6, 2008 – November 10, 2015
Preceded by Joginder Singh Vadanti
Succeeded by Jagtar Singh Hawara
Personal details
Born Gurbachan Singh
(1948-04-06)April 6, 1948
Chakk Baja, Muktsar, Panjab
Nationality Sikh
Religion Sikh

Giani Gurbachan Singh (Punjabi: ਗਿਆਨੀ ਗੁਰਬਚਨ ਸਿੰਘ) born (April 6, 1948) served as the 30th Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest spokesman of the Sikh Nation.

Early life

Gurbachan Singh was born on April 6, 1948, at Chakk Baja in Muktsar, Panjab.[1]

Elevation as Jathedar of Akal Takht

Singh joined Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) as a Sewadar at Mukatsar. He served 36 years at SGPC beginning in 1972 and became head priest at Amritsar before becoming Jathedar on 6 August 2008. His position is currently disputed[2] as some assert he was retired from his services by the Sarbat Khalsa on 10 November 2015, to be succeeded by Jagtar Singh Hawara while others claim that the Sarbat Khalsa had no authority to make the change.[3]

Issues

On December 5, 2011, Jathedars of all five Takhts including Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh awarded Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Quam (literally "Jewel of the community, pride of the nation") to Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal. He was awarded this title at Akal Takht for his service towards the Sikh Nation by creating many memorials pertaining to Sikhi such as Virasat-e-Khalsa, besides being imprisoned for long time and having faced atrocities during various Akali movements. This award was retracted by the Sikh Nation at Sarbat Khalsa on November 10, 2015 due to allegations of Civil Rights Violations and failure to recognize the oppression faced by the Sikhs of Panjab.[4]

In October 2015, the Panj Pyare of Akal Takht (Bhai Satnam Singh Khanda, Bhai Mangal Singh, Bhai Tarlok Singh, Bhai Satnam Singh and Bhai Major Singh) issued a summon to the Jathedars of the five Takhats (Giani Gurbachan Singh, Giani Mal Singh, Giani Gurmukh Singh, Giani Iqbal Singh, Giani Ram Singh) to clarify their position on the pardoning of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for imitation of the 10th Sikh Guru.[5] After the Jathedars refused to recognize the summon, the Panj Pyare of Akal Takht directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to relieve the Jathedars from their duties.[6] The SGPC ignored the Gurmata and suspended the Panj Pyare from Akal Takht.[7]

On November 11, 2015, Giani Gurbachan Singh faced a large demonstration at the Akal Takht. The congregation interrupted his speech by shouting Sikh slogans.[8]

References

  1. ↑ About Jathedar Gurbachan Singh
  2. ↑ Correspondent, Tribune India. "At Sarbat Khalsa, hardliners appoint Beant-killer Hawara Akal Takht chief" (11 November 2015). Tribune India. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Correspondent, HT. "Sarbat Khalsa appoints Jagtar Singh Hawara as Akal Takht jathedar" (10 November 2015). Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  4. ↑ Correspondent, HT. "Sarbat Khalsa appoints Jagtar Singh Hawara as Akal Takht jathedar" (10 November 2015). Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "kal Takht Sahib Punj Piare Summon Appointed Jathedars". Sikh24 News & Updates. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "231015 Sikh Channel News: Panj Pyare issue Gurmata regarding Panj Takht Jathedars.". Sikh Channel. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "SGPC President's decision to suspend Akal Takht 'Panj Piare' draws flak". The Times of India. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "Sangat Protest Loudly Over Voice of Ex-Jathedar Gurbachan SIngh". Sikh 24. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
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