Amritsar: The officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, on Tuesday directed the members of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) — one of the oldest existing Sikh organisations — to become Amritdhari (initiated Sikhs) by Sept 1, failing which their membership will be terminated.Speaking to the media after a meeting with CKD’s executive members, whom he summoned over complaints against them, the jathedar gave all members 41 days to undergo the Sikh initiation ceremony (Amrit Sanchar) and comply with maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct). “All members of CKD must be Amritdhari by Sept 1. Any member who is not initiated or who has deviated from Sikh discipline must rectify this within the stipulated period. Practices such as dyeing or curling the beard violate Sikh principles and are not acceptable,” he said He emphasised that failure to comply will result in termination of CKD membership. To support this process, the Akal Takht will send Panj Piaras (the five beloved ones) to guide and conduct the Amrit Sanchar for those willing to take initiation, he added.Reaffirming that no act contrary to Gurmat (Guru’s wisdom) or the Rehat Maryada will be tolerated, the jathedar said the constitutional requirement for CKD members to be Amritdhari was non-negotiable and cannot be amended under any circumstance. Among those who appeared before the jathedar were CKD president Inderbir Singh Nijjar, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and former minister, along with 20 executive members of CKD.Gargaj said members who were absent from Tuesday’s meeting must present themselves at the Akal Takht secretariat on Aug 1 to submit their explanation. Officially established in 2019, CKD is a year older than the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
