Global Sikh Delegation Tours Punjab To Build Unity And Form Independent Committee For Akal Takht Financial Autonomy

 According to Times of India “ Amid growing allegations of undue influence by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over Sikh high priests—raising serious concerns about impartiality in their decisions and directives—a global initiative is taking shape.

A delegation of prominent Sikh businessmen and intellectuals from across the world is touring Punjab to engage with key Panthic bodies, with an aim to build unity and establish an independent international committee. Its foremost mandate will be to ensure the financial independence of the Akal Takht Secretariat, followed by the transparent and autonomous election of Sikh high priests, freeing them from reliance on the SGPC for honorariums and safeguarding the moral and institutional independence of Sikh high priests.

Rajwinder Singh of Switzerland, who is leading the delegation, said the Sikh diaspora is deeply distressed by recurring media reports alleging that certain decisions of Sikh high priests are influenced by the SAD-backed SGPC. He said such allegations caused widespread disappointment and anguish among Sikhs worldwide.

“Even at present, the issue of the 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib brought the Akal Takht and the Punjab govt into direct confrontation—something that should never have occurred. This situation is extremely concerning for Sikhs across the globe,” Rajwinder Singh said.

He added that the delegation already held meetings with several Panthic organisations in the Malwa and Doaba regions and is currently touring Majha to engage with more Sikh bodies.
“Our objective is to identify Panthic organisations that enjoy the highest level of trust and credibility among Sikhs. These organisations will then collectively form an international committee comprising Sikh businessmen, intellectuals, and respected religious personalities,” he explained, adding that they are open to taking representatives from the SGPC on the committee.

Further elaborating, Rajwinder Singh said the delegation deliberated extensively and concluded that making the Akal Takht Secretariat financially independent is essential adding that foreign-based Sikh businessmen have expressed their readiness to make substantial donations for the cause and have committed to doing so.

Dr. Sonia Kaur from Sweden said that there have been allegations that decisions of Sikh's supreme temporal authority are allegedly influenced by SGPC or the SAD, so it is crucial to uphold the independence of Akal Takht including transparent process of processes of honorariums and administration . "Forming an international committee of Sikh intellectuals, scholars, and businessmen could provide guidance and oversight while respecting Sikh traditions" said she.

Surinder Singh from Austria said, “If the Akal Takht Secretariat becomes autonomous, Sikh high priests will no longer need to depend on the SGPC for their honorariums. The income generated from the estates and properties owned by the Akal Takht Secretariat would be sufficient to meet all operational and administrative expenses.”