Akhand Kirtani Jatha
Encyclopedia
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ, also known as Bhai Randhir Singh da Jatha,
or Waheguru Singhs) is a jatha (collective group) of Sikh
s.
The AKJ are a purist or "fundamentalist" fringe group within Sikhism
, holding an interpretation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) different from that of the Sikh mainstream.
It emerged in ca. 1980, based on the movement initiated by Randhir Singh (d. 1961) in the context of the Indian independence movement
in the first half of the 20th century.
Akhand Kirtani Jatha believe that "'all praise must be to the Guru Granth Sahib and God and there is absolutely no need for any respect for a living sant' but are themselves criticised for paying glowing tributes to Bhai Randir Singh 'just like a Sant'".
AKJ differs from mainstream Sikhism in their interpretation of one of The Five Ks
of Sikhism: instead of accepting the kes
or "uncut hair", they interpret the command as referring to keski, a small turban, which they maintain must be worn by Sikhs of either sex.
In Bhogal's description of beliefs and practices of the AKJ, he noted some of the group's beliefs and said "In such beliefs the group reject the general code of conduct known as the Sikh Rahit Marayada of the S.G.P.C.
[...], and produced their own called rahit-bibek (bibek means discrimination, discernment, insight)."
Randhir Singh
(1878–1961) was Jat from Ludhiana who was imprisoned by the British authorities.
His followers were known as the Bhai Randhir Singh da Jatha
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha was a group within this movement in the 1970s, headed by Amarjit Kaur, whose husband was killed fighting the Sant Nirankaris in Amritsar in 1978.
The AJK in turn gave rise to an extremist offshoot known as the Babbar Khalsa who were active in assassinations and religious violence against the Sant Nirankaris during the 1980s.
The AKJ appears as a group of the Sikh diaspora
involved in the Khalistan movement
in the 1980s.
The AJK participated in a convention in Slough, Berkshire in 1987.
No estimates on the number of adherents is known. Outside of Amritsar
Panjab, the AJK appear to have a chapter in Coventry
, UK.
', revolving around the innitiate for five or so minutes."
The Jatha's devotional singing programmes include all-night Rain sabai and Kirtan Darbars which usually last around 6 hours.
The kirtan is usually sung with basic musical tunes as the main emphasis of the kirtans is on the Guru's Word and repeating the Gurmantar (Guru's Mantra) of Waheguru with great fervour when prompted to repeat the Lord's Name in the sacred hymns being sung.
Jatha members never eat meat or eggs, and the AKJ argues strongly that eating any form of flesh is forbidden in the AKJ rahit-bibek.
Raagmala is a composition appended to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, appearing after the "Mundaavni" (epilogue or "closing seal").
The Jatha do not accept the Raagmala and do not read it when concluding a scripture-reading.
Bhogal noted that this is one of the areas in which the AKJ rejects the "Sikh Rehat Maryada of the SGPC" interpretation.
".
They hold that this term means "slaughtered animal" or "killed animal", and thus that eating any meat whatsoever is a transgression.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada and some Sikh scholars define Kutthaa
as meat "slaughtered in the Muslim way" (Halaal meat),
and as any "ritually slaughtered" meat (Halal, Kosher, Hindu Bali, others).
Thus, the Sikh Rahit Maryada accepts the eating of meat, and the Akhand Kirtani Jatha does not.
or Waheguru Singhs) is a jatha (collective group) of Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s.
The AKJ are a purist or "fundamentalist" fringe group within Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
, holding an interpretation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) different from that of the Sikh mainstream.
It emerged in ca. 1980, based on the movement initiated by Randhir Singh (d. 1961) in the context of the Indian independence movement
Indian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
in the first half of the 20th century.
Akhand Kirtani Jatha believe that "'all praise must be to the Guru Granth Sahib and God and there is absolutely no need for any respect for a living sant' but are themselves criticised for paying glowing tributes to Bhai Randir Singh 'just like a Sant'".
AKJ differs from mainstream Sikhism in their interpretation of one of The Five Ks
The Five Ks
The Five Ks , are five Articles of Faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times at the command of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who so ordered at the Vaisakhi Amrit Sanskar in 1699...
of Sikhism: instead of accepting the kes
Kesh (Sikhism)
In Sikhism, Kesh is the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. The practice is one of the Five Ks, the outward symbols ordered by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 as a means to profess the Sikh faith...
or "uncut hair", they interpret the command as referring to keski, a small turban, which they maintain must be worn by Sikhs of either sex.
In Bhogal's description of beliefs and practices of the AKJ, he noted some of the group's beliefs and said "In such beliefs the group reject the general code of conduct known as the Sikh Rahit Marayada of the S.G.P.C.
Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is an organization in India responsible for the upkeep of gurdwaras, Sikh places of worship in three states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. SGPC also administers Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Gurdwaras in Delhi are the administered by Delhi Sikh...
[...], and produced their own called rahit-bibek (bibek means discrimination, discernment, insight)."
History
Randhir Singh
Randhir Singh, born Basant Singh, 1878–1961, is regarded by many Sikhs as a Saint.He wrote extensively on Gurbani and the Sikh way of life, pioneered the Gurdwara Sudhaar Movement, and founded the Akhand Kirtani Jatha which is a Jatha inferior to the Nihang Jathebandia.-Randhir Singh:Randhir...
(1878–1961) was Jat from Ludhiana who was imprisoned by the British authorities.
His followers were known as the Bhai Randhir Singh da Jatha
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha was a group within this movement in the 1970s, headed by Amarjit Kaur, whose husband was killed fighting the Sant Nirankaris in Amritsar in 1978.
The AJK in turn gave rise to an extremist offshoot known as the Babbar Khalsa who were active in assassinations and religious violence against the Sant Nirankaris during the 1980s.
The AKJ appears as a group of the Sikh diaspora
Sikh diaspora
The Sikh diaspora is a relatively recent term used to describe the phenomenon of Punjabi Sikh migration from the traditional area of the Punjab region. Sikhism is an ethnic religion but welcomes converts, the Punjab region being the historic homeland of Sikhism...
involved in the Khalistan movement
Khalistan movement
Khalistan refers to a global political secessionist movement to create a separate Sikh state, called Khālistān , carved out of parts mostly consisting of the Punjab region of India, depending on definition....
in the 1980s.
The AJK participated in a convention in Slough, Berkshire in 1987.
No estimates on the number of adherents is known. Outside of Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
Panjab, the AJK appear to have a chapter in Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, UK.
Liturgy
Bhogal also noted that "They also believe in a different Khalsa initiation ceremony, wherein the five beloved ones, or five Gursikhs place their right hand on the neophyte's head and meditatively repeat the mantra 'VahiguruWaheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
', revolving around the innitiate for five or so minutes."
The Jatha's devotional singing programmes include all-night Rain sabai and Kirtan Darbars which usually last around 6 hours.
The kirtan is usually sung with basic musical tunes as the main emphasis of the kirtans is on the Guru's Word and repeating the Gurmantar (Guru's Mantra) of Waheguru with great fervour when prompted to repeat the Lord's Name in the sacred hymns being sung.
Jatha members never eat meat or eggs, and the AKJ argues strongly that eating any form of flesh is forbidden in the AKJ rahit-bibek.
Raagmala is a composition appended to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, appearing after the "Mundaavni" (epilogue or "closing seal").
The Jatha do not accept the Raagmala and do not read it when concluding a scripture-reading.
Bhogal noted that this is one of the areas in which the AKJ rejects the "Sikh Rehat Maryada of the SGPC" interpretation.
Vegetarianism
The AKJ have their own interpretation of the Sikh prohibition against "Kutha meatKutha meat
Kutha meat is defined as "meat of animal or fowl slaughtered slowly as prescribed by Islamic law.". It has been more broadly defined as "killing an animal with a prayer" or "a sacrifice to God" or meat prepared through "unnecessary ritualism"....
".
They hold that this term means "slaughtered animal" or "killed animal", and thus that eating any meat whatsoever is a transgression.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada and some Sikh scholars define Kutthaa
Kutha meat
Kutha meat is defined as "meat of animal or fowl slaughtered slowly as prescribed by Islamic law.". It has been more broadly defined as "killing an animal with a prayer" or "a sacrifice to God" or meat prepared through "unnecessary ritualism"....
as meat "slaughtered in the Muslim way" (Halaal meat),
and as any "ritually slaughtered" meat (Halal, Kosher, Hindu Bali, others).
Thus, the Sikh Rahit Maryada accepts the eating of meat, and the Akhand Kirtani Jatha does not.
External links
- http://www.akhandkirtanijatha.org/
- http://ekhalsa.com/
- http://www.akj.org/
- http://www.tapoban.org/