Easy Access To Akal Takhat Hukamnameh

[Azaad]

While there were reports of “missing record” from the Akal Takht Secretariat in the past, a recently released book, “Edicts of Sri Akal Takht Sahib” by Sikh History Research Board director Roop Singh, has become a reference document. It incorporates 151 edicts (hukamnamas) issued from the Akal Takht over the past 125 years. The oldest edict in the book dates back to March 18, 1887, and the latest one to be included is the one issued on July 22, 2011. This is the first book to deal exclusively with the edicts. The book has some of the rare edicts, including the one directing the Sikhs to be armed for the protection of the country after Independence.

The edict issued in November, 1948 reads: “After breaking the shackles of slavery, our country has attained Independence. The Sikhs made supreme sacrifices for its sake. They have to take the country to new heights.”

The edict issued on Diwali (in 1948) by the then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Mohan Singh Nagoke directed the Sikh masses to pray for getting the “Hindu sisters” liberated from the newly-created Pakistan. The maximum edicts issued from Akal Takht were after Operation Bluestar (June, 1984). The Akal Takht issued 14 edicts from July 5, 1984, to October 25, 1984, condemning the siege of Golden Temple and Akal Takht by the Indian Army. Giani Kirpal Singh was the Akal Takht Jathedar at that time. The book also has Akal Takht edicts, declaring former President Giani Zail Singh and former Union Home Minister Buta Singh “tankhaiya” and ostracising them from Khalsa Panth, besides the one awarding “tankhah” (punishment for religious misconduct) to former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala.

While most edicts (a total of 30) were issued after the Army operation in 1984 by the then Jathedar Giani Kirpal Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh had issued as many as 18 edicts in his short tenure of 14 months.

The issue of missing records from the Akal Takht came to the fore in April 2003 when the newly formed secretariat of the Takht had requested both Sikhs and non-Sikhs to submit records related to the office of the Akal Takht so that the new secretariat is complete in all respects. There were reports that a few jathedars, who had been removed or had retired, had taken home important office records, including correspondence and copies edicts.

[just_someone]

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

funny how they wont have the Hukamnaamas during the times between 26th jan 86 and 89 when Shaheed Singh Sahib Jathadar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaonke and Shaheed Singh Sahib Baba Gurbhacan Singh Manochahal were Jathadars.

The most important time in modern day sikh history they leave out