Jathedar- The CEO of Akal Takhat

That's not an odd comparison if you just make an effort to compare the Jathedar of a Takhat and the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of an MNC (Multi-National Company). I'm doing it completely in the positive light as in my article "Cult leaders: The economic elites of Punjab", I proved that religion is also an industry like the other industries and people who have acquired offices in religious institutions ought to play a key role and discharge the duties attached to that office. CEO is one of top notch positions in an MNC just like the "Jathedar" in a religious institution called "Takhat" which is a temporal seat for co-ordination between religious and political affairs.

Just like the saying goes that,"With great power comes great responsibility", we can easily figure out that the job of a "Jathedar" isn't easy like that of a CEO. Though primarily associated with the policy-making, the nature of policies made by "Jathedars"(usually called "Singh Sahibaan" out of reverence by the sikhs) has to keep some very critical facts and conditions in mind before making a policy and issuing an edict or a diktat for the community across the globe to follow. These factors are:

1) Political pressure: "Jathedars" have to work in harmony with the govt. Majority of the Jathedars of the modern era succumb to the political pressure but there are examples of Jathedars like "Akali Phoola Singh" who dared to issue a diktat against Maharaja Ranjit Singh out of his multiple marriage alliances as this was against sikh tenants and the "tankha" (religious punishment) announced for Ranjit Singh was 20 slashes of hunter on his back and the Maharaja literally took it. Nowadays, the CEO's are also under immense political and market pressure to keep the organization going.

2) Dress Code: Just like a CEO adheres to a dress code like formals or semi-formals, Jathedars too have a dress code to adhere to. Though next generation CEO's like Mark Zuckerberg defies such protocols, the Jathedars too have somehow brought relevant changes in their dress-code to suit contemporary requirement. It's simple "kurta" & "chooridaar payjama" with a pointed turban nowadays unlike a "chola" and a "Dumala-dastaar" in the olden days.

3) Appeasement of radicals: Well, the CEO may not have to face any radicals or fanatics but he definitely has to figure out the institutional loyalty of his employees and act accordingly, similarly, for the "Jathedar" the fanatics and the radicals are the most loyal of the people associated with the institution and he cannot afford to make them angry as they have the militant like tendencies to rebel and the CEO has to make sure about the retention of institutionally loyal employees.

4) Projection of a universal image: Just like a CEO makes sure that the society in general, and not just employees, get benefited from his corporate house and launches various schemes in the name of "Corporate Social Responsibility", Jathedar also has to make sure that the projection of sikhism remains tolerant and universal and gives a nod to various philanthropic activities.

5) Carry forward the glorious legacy: Both the Jathedar and the CEO very well know that they are the temporary incumbents of their posts and the institution is above them, they have to make sure that the sanctity of the institution stays in tact. Both the seats are subject to corporate or a perpetual succession.

Though both these positions i.e. a CEO and a Jathedar are highly empowered and fetch immense social status and power, there is another aspect to it. Focusing wholly-solely on religious institution now, the Jathedar is also an ex-officio member of SGPC which is otherwise, a house of 180 members (now reduced due to the formation of separate SGPC by Haryana) democratically elected through adult franchise.

Now this is where the powers of a Jathedar take a jolt, when the decision on most of the financial matters are taken by the President of SGPC who is more like the MD (Managing Director) of all the gurdwaras falling under his jurisdiction. Actually, the SGPC President decides how much money should be spent on which project. Hence, the principle of "Unity of command" gets violated leaving a scope for the diversion and embezzlement of funds. Some intellectuals claim that the funds are used lesser for panthic or religious interests and more for the purpose of political party funding, hence going directly in the pockets of the ruling family of the state. And this is exactly what weakens the institution of "Akal Takhat".

This is the major grudge of the contemporary sikhs that "Akal Takhat" was above politics at the time of its establishment by the sixth guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. Acquisition of the post of Jathedar by religious leaders subservient to the politicians has immensely reduced the sanctity and the powers of "Akal Takaht" and has made it an institution inferior to even the ministerial positions of the state govt. Though I have used the picture of the incumbent Jathedar of Akal Takhat in my article but this is purely for reference purpose and not a personal attack.

As Punjabis or Indians, we are very well aware of the fact that extra-constitutional authorities operate in the Indian polity. I have already referred to such authorities in my other articles and if as sikhs we have failed to make "Akal Takhat" an authority of that stature then we need to introspect. What is holding us back ?? Have we failed to bring forward a 20th century leader and a strong individual like Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, who held various top positions i.e. of a Jathedar Akal Takhat, 3 time MP, CM of Punjab and Rajya sabha member in his lifetime. We need somebody who is religiously and constitutionally right to acquire this position and take the sikh community to the acme of glory.