Here is an educated opinion on this History....taken from ANZ_SIKHS Yahoo group.
Dear All,
Much debate is being conducted on issue of recent events relating to excommunication of a former Jathedar of Akal Takhat,the preceding actions and post activities.
Leaving aside the personalities and individuals, we need to look at the whole situation with Bibek Budhi, as Gurbani dictates.
The question is about the authority of Takhats and Jathedars. Merely the fact that, a particular person has been named Jathedar of Akal Takhat and likewise of other four Takhats, does not bestow Total power in the hands of the said Jathedar. That will amount to dictatership, totally against the concept of Khalsa and against the laws of modern democratic civilisation. The Khalsa, established by Guru Gobind Singh jee is to conduct it self in democratic manner, as aptly dictated and demonstrated by Guru jee himslef.
The authority is derived from the individuals, forming the Nation and in this instance Sikh Nation or Khalsa Panth. As per dictates of Sri Guru Gobind Singh jee, who ordained Khalsa, the anuthority is with Panth. His last dicates are on record. This is also confirmed by historic records that, Khalsa held Sarbat Khalsa or Joint Meeting of whole Khalsa. All the dicisions and Hukamnams were issued by virtue of decisions at Sarbat Khalsa. Never by and individual as Jathedar.
After demise of Guru Gobind Singh jee, Khalsa met in secret at and around Amritsar to hold Sarbat Khalsa, for such decisions, as Amritsar was out of bounds of Khalsa and control of Harmandar Sahib was not with Khalsa, until after Banda Singh Bahadur and Baba Duleep Singh jee, though for a brief period after Guru Gobind Singh jee Bhai Mani Singh was the Head Granthi, who was also made a martyr on non payment of tax imposed by Moghul empror. But Khalsa came in secrecy and held Sarbat Khalsa in the vicinity to take joint decisions.
Abdali razed the Harmandar Sahib and Akal Bunga to ground in 1762 and again attacked Amritsar in 1764. There was only the Sarovar or Water Tank, in which Khalsa took dips in serecy.
The first major Sarbar Khalsa on record with a major decision is on 14 Oct 1745, at location, where stood Akal Bunga nee Akal Takhat. That secision was to re-organise Sikh Panth in 25 Jathas of 100 person each. Later on Baisakhi 29 March 1748, another Sarbat Khalsa met to pass Gurmatta or resoulution to form 11 Misles - major groups, each entrusted with a territory of Punjab area. Again on Diwali of 7 November 1760, Sarbat Khalsa met and resolved to attack and take control of Lahore, until then Khalsa had no control of a specific terirroty. Never was there any dicate aganist any individual from this location, nor any mention of any orders issued by any Jathedar. There was no Jathedar of Akal Takhat, but Jathedars were of each Jatha.
Since this became a central location, Misles built a Bunga each on the banks of the Sarovar, where a Vakil or a representative was stationed. The Harmandar Sahib and Akal Bunga were two independent buildings, with no enclosed Parkarm or gates, which were all built later, mostly in recent times. Akal Bunga was a large room with a roof, overlooking the Sarovar, with flat open space for Sangat infront.
Once Maharaja Ranjit Singh took power, he ingonored Misles and Sarbat Khalsa, after the last one in 1805. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled as dictator and destroyed the established institution of collective National decision making. Interestlingly, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, only once manipulated this instution of Sarbat Khalsa to gain pardon for his misdeamenour by marrying his court dancer. Akali Phula Singh, who fought many wars as general for Maharaja, formally issued the call for Maharaja to appear at Akal Bunga nee Akal Takhat and was given a token punishment and Maharaja undertook the task of rebuilding the small room or HarmandarSahib to a grand structure, with Deohri and gold plating of the upper half of Harmandar Sahib. This appeased Khalsa Panth and enabled Maharja to rule at his will.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29145
The main point to be taken note of is that, never was there power bestoed upon an individuals or on five individuals, to take unilateral decisions. The Power vested with the Sikhs as individuals forming the Khalsa Panth or Sikh Nation.
The establishment of Akal Takhat, as an entity is another topic. Even if it was established by Guru Hargobind jee, the power was with the Guru or later with the Khalsa Panth. Dasam Guru Sahib bestowed that power on Sangat or Khala Panth. The formation of other 4 Takhats is of course completely unauthorised, as neither Guru Sahiban, nor Khalsa Panth collectively have approved those.
Thus, the status of Jathedars of these so called Takhats is totally unauthorised, void of any legitimate authority. Worst of all, when the Jathedars are merely pupits of the policticians' appointed management of SGPC and other committes of these "Takhats".
SGPC is merely a committee established under the Act of Indian Govt, to manage the historic Gurdwaras in Punjab, like the DSGPC to manage those in Delhi. The other two "Takhats" in Maharashtra and Bihar are totally under the control of State Govts. adminstered by local Deputy Commissioners, who nominate members of management committees and Sikhs have NIL authority.
Thus, this is an opportunity to do some real thinking and all those interested in welfare of the future of Sikh Panth, must agree for call of a Sarbat Khalsa, to make decisions on manner of future management of Sikh affairs.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29145
Singh Sahib Bhai Darshan Singh should serve notice on these Jathedars to call Sarbat Khalsa to review the wole situation and place the matter before a Sarbat Khalsa. If it is not accepted then he should file suite in courts of India, to seek justice under laws of the country, for such grave injustice being done. Once in the courts of law, the rational arguments of the status of and authority - if any - of the "Jathedars" would be discussed and truth brougt out, once for all to STOP this grave situation. The exploitation by politicians of the Sikh instutions, to gain the control over society or say Sikh Panth and its indiviiduals, must be stopped to save the Khalsa Panth.
Manmohan Singh
Australia
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