Jathedar of the Akal Takht
Head of the Akal Takht and head of the Sikhs / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Jathedar of the Akal Takht (Punjabi: ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is the head of the Akal Takht and head of the Sikhs worldwide.[3] The jathedar has the de facto power as the supreme spokesperson of the Khalsa to summon, trial and sentence any person who identifies as a Sikh from the Akal Takht.[4]
Jathedar of the Akal Takht | |
---|---|
ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਸਾਹਿਬ | |
Incumbent Disputed between; Giani Raghbir Singh (SGPC)[lower-alpha 1] Jagtar Singh Hawara (Sarbat Khalsa)[lower-alpha 2] | |
Style | |
Member of | Khalsa |
Reports to | Sikhs |
Seat | Akal Takht, Amritsar |
Appointer | SGPC Sarbat Khalsa |
Term length | No term limit; at the Khalsa's pleasure |
Formation | 17th century |
First holder | Bhai Gurdas as custodian of the Akal Takth |
Website | www |
The current jathedar, Jagtar Singh Hawara is a convicted assassin,[5][6] who was declared by the Sarbat Khalsa on 10 November 2015 and Raghbir Singh was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on 16 June 2023.[7] Due to the imprisonment of Hawara, Dhian Singh Mand appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa has been serving as the acting jathedar.[8] The jathedars of the five takhts generally make important decisions in consultation within the framework of the Sikh Rehat Maryada while considering the collective will of the Sikhs.[9]
The position of jathedar is not established by any constitutional document, but exists only by long-established convention, whereby a Sarbat Khalsa or an institution authorised by it appoints a person most likely to command the confidence of the Sikhs.[10] The jathedar is supported by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and heads the other four jathedars of the takhts.[11] The jathedar also commands the Akali Nihangs, an armed Sikh warrior order started from the Akal Takht by the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind.[12]
The Akal Takht is the building directly opposite the Darbar Sahib founded by Guru Hargobind, as a symbol of political sovereignty and where spiritual and temporal concerns of the Sikh people can be addressed.[13] Along with Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas, the sixth Guru built a concrete slab. When Guru Hargobind revealed the platform on 15 June 1606, he put on two swords: one indicated his spiritual authority (piri) and the other, his temporal authority (miri).[14]