Amritsar, November 19, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – The Sri Akal Takht Sahib at Sri Amritsar has raised serious concerns over the newly presented memorial of Bhai Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita ji) at Sri Anandpur Sahib, in Rupnagar district pointing to what it describes as clear departures from established Sikh principles, traditions and Maryada (Sikh code of conduct). The apex Sikh authority has sought personal explanation from Punjab tourism and cultural affairs minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond by summoning him at Takhat Sahib and a written explanation from the department’s director, after receiving a stream of complaints from devotees and scholars.
According to a letter issued by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib secretariat, several images displayed in the memorial have been portrayed in ways that violates Sikh principles and sentiments. One picture shows Guru Gobind Singh ji administering Amrit to the Panj Pyare while wearing footwear an act that is inconsistent with Sikh maryada. The Panj Pyare in the image are also not seated in Bir Asan, which is an essential posture prescribed during the Amrit Sanchar ceremony.
The secretariat further noted that the depiction of the ‘Baata’ and the Khanda does not match the traditional presentation followed during the sacred initiation. The letter adds that the presence of two palanquins in the imagery has no clear context and even the Nishan Sahib shown in the artwork does not reflect the accepted Sikh standards.
In a separate statement the Akal Takhat Sahib has confirmed that Sond has been asked to appear in person within a week to offer his clarification. The tourism director has also said been instructed to file a detailed written response explaining how the memorial was approved in its current form.
Dhami and Jathedar asked Punjab Govt to refrain from religious activities
The issue comes at a time when both the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib have publicly advised the Punjab government to stay away from organising or leading religious activities. They stressed that matters of faith fall within the domain of established Sikh institutions and should not be influenced by the state’s executive authority.
Earlier Education Minister Summoned at Akal Takhat Sahib
Mentionably, Sri Akal Takht Sahib had also taken a firm stand in a separate case involving Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains. He was summoned for violating the Sikh code during a cultural programme in Srinagar where certain acts were deemed inconsistent with Maryada during a program to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji. After reviewing the matter, the Jathedar Akal Takhat Sahib has pronounced a religious order directing Bains to perform a specific tankhah as atonement. The minister complied with the punishment, which the Akal Takhat noted as a reminder that public representatives must uphold Sikh discipline during official and cultural engagements.
Punjab Chief Minister after inauguration of Bhai Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
