Reply To: Management of Akal Takht Sahib

The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 which established the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to manage Sikh Gurdwaras, does not explicitly use the term “Jathedar” in its text. The Act primarily focuses on the administrative framework for Gurdwara management and the formation of the SGPC, without detailing specific religious or leadership designations like Jathedar, which is a traditional Sikh term for the head of a Takht or a leader of a Sikh group.

Analysis of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925:Absence of “Jathedar”:

A thorough review of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, confirms that the term “Jathedar” is not mentioned anywhere in the Act. The Act does not address the specific roles or titles associated with the spiritual or temporal leadership of key Sikh institutions like the Akal Takht or other Takhts.The term “Jathedar” is a historical and traditional Sikh designation, often used for the head of the Akal Takht or other Takhts, and its usage predates the 1925 Act. However, the Act focuses on legal and administrative governance rather than codifying such traditional roles.

Designation Mentioned for Gurdwara: Oversight:

The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, uses the term “minister” to refer to individuals responsible for performing religious duties or overseeing Gurdwara functions.
Specifically: Section 2(9) of the Act defines a “minister” as “a person to whom the sole or principal duty of performing religious worship in a Gurdwara is entrusted, whether such person is called a Granthi, Bhai, or by any other name.”This definition broadly covers individuals responsible for religious ceremonies, such as reciting the Guru Granth Sahib or conducting prayers, which aligns with the role of a Granthi in most Gurdwaras.For the management of Gurdwaras, the Act establishes “Committees” (local managing committees) under the SGPC’s.

Section 85 provides for the formation of committees to manage individual Gurdwaras, with members elected or nominated as per the Act’s provisions.The committee is responsible for the overall administration of the Gurdwara, including appointing ministers (e.g., Granthis) and other staff.The Act also refers to “office-holders” in the context of Gurdwara management:Section 109 allows the committee of a Gurdwara to appoint office-holders, including ministers, to perform specific duties. These office-holders are under the committee’s control and can be suspended or dismissed by it.The term “office-holder” is broad and could encompass various roles, but it primarily refers to administrative or religious functionaries like Granthis, not a Jathedar.
Implications for Akal Takht and Jathedar: For significant Gurdwaras like the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and the Akal Takht, the Act places their management directly under the SGPC (referred to as the “Board” in the Act) rather than a local committee:Section 85(2) specifies that the SGPC itself acts as the committee for managing the Golden Temple, Akal Takht, and other major Gurdwaras listed in the Act’s schedules.The SGPC, therefore, has the authority to appoint religious functionaries, including Granthis and other ministers, for these institutions.
Conclusion:
The Act does not mention “Jathedar,”  anywhere. It considers Akal Takht Sahib as a Gurdwara.  Therefore it’s managing board i.e  SGPC can appoint only “minister” i.e  a Granthi  to look after it for religious purpose. But SGPC AMRITSAR can not appoint its Jathedar.