Akhand Kirtani Jatha

The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ) is a group ("jatha") that is dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle. Though having a strict lifestyle the modern "AKJ"(Akhand Keertani Jathadars) are much more openminded than first perceived. It was started by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji, he was given the title of "Bhai Sahib" and the suffix "Ji" because he was honoured by all 4 "Takhts" (5th Takhat was ordained later on) or supreme centres for Sikhs, he and Bhai Veer Singh were the only Sikhs to receive this title in the 20th century. The jatha follows a strict discipline in keeping with the code of conduct ("rehit") laid down by Guru Gobind Singh. The AKJ’s main centre is at Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab (India), with a base in Coventry, United Kingdom, in Narangval, the birth place of Randhir Singh, a village in the Punjab state of India and Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib in Toronto, Candada. In India small numbers of AKJ sikhs can be found in Amritsar and Patiala, both in Panjab,in many other places in India, In East and West London in England, California in America and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada.

The AKJ was founded by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji. There is no single leader of the Jatha. All the properties of Jatha are governed by Trusts. It is also undertaking community development projects in the form of two public schools and another centre for imparting training to rural girls in sewing and garment designing; all at very very subsidised fees.

The jatha refines the general code of conduct created by the "Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee" (SGPC.) AKJ believes in the efficacy of kirtan (devotional singing with instruments), and regularly holds overnight sessions called "rain sabai". Their style of kirtan is recited by Sikhs in a collective manner in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is relatively simple compared to other forms of kirtan and the entire congregation participates in singing. The group also attaches particular importance to the meditation and repetition of holy mantras 'Waheguru' ('wonderful guru').Some feel that the Jatha by doing their forms of chanting contravene the SGPC sikh rehat maryada code of conduct chapter V / article VI d) It is improper, while singing hymns to rhythmic folk tunes or to traditional musical measures, or in team singing, to induct into them improvised and extraneous refrains. They believe, though doubtfully, that only a line from the hymn should be made a refrain. To further clarify even the word Waheguru or Satnam to that matter cannot be used as a refrain as in the case that the Jatha does exemplarily again and again along with usual team singing. But this is a matter for debate.

Over the decades many members of the AKJ have made sacrifices of their lives and other vital parts of their lives just to support the beliefs of Khalsa Panth (Pure-sikh community). Their beliefs varying between the rules they follow and also their beliefs in their countries.One of the many beliefs that has led to a debate is the Ragmala issue, as they believe that Ragmala does not figure in original handwritten Guru Granth Sahibs and was mischievously added later on by somebody. Their stand is vindicated by the fact that Ragmala does not have any spiritual content, the Ragas enumerated therein differ from those in Main Granth and it does not has end lines the word 'Nanak', Which is a must for every hyme by all the Gurus. The traditional and official position of the SGPC,is that according to Article XI (a) of Sikh Rehat Maryada (SRM): "The reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermittent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of Mundawani or the Rag Mala according to the convention traditionally observed at the concerned place, or the individual belief, both are taken as accepted as per SGPC's 'Rahitnama" (Code of coduct for Sikhs). (Since there is a difference of opinion within the Panth on this issue, nobody should dare to write or print a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib excluding the Rag Mala). Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib, the Ardas of the conclusion of the reading should be offered and the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) distributed".It is worth noting that AKhand Kirtani Jatha(AKJ) are the main existing body differing in their opinion about the inclusion of Ragmala in Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, however many respected scholars in the past have held the same view.

The jatha observes strict lacto vegetarianism and many members, will only use iron utensils (Sarb Loh) when cooking or eating and accept food only made by Amritdhari (baptized Sikhs) this is known as Sarb loh bibek. This practice is also carried out within Nihangs and to a leser extent Damdami Taksal members. The group replaces the uncut hair ("kesh") with a small under-turban ("keshki") which both women and men wear, as they firmly believe this was the original K given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on Vaisakhi day 1669, not Kes. The addition of "keshki" to "kesh" is justified for their ideals by the fact that all the other five K's are external and additional to the natural human form. The other five K's are "Kangha" (comb), "Kirpan" (sword), "Kachha" (short drawers) and "Kara" (bracelet) of Iron. Kesh are also considered to be of greater significance than the five k's since removing hair falls into the "four kurehits" (removal of hair, eating of meat, extramarital sexual relations, and use of intoxicants) which are regarded as cardinal sins by all Sikhs, not just those of Akhand Kirtani Jatha. They result in the initiated Sikh breaking his or her vows and requiring repentance.

References

External links

* [http://www.akj.org/ Akhand Keertanee Jathaa]
* [http://www.akhandkirtanijatha.org/ Akhand Kirtani Jatha International]
* [http://www.tapoban.org/ Akhand Kirtani Jatha Toronto]
* [http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akha.html "Akhand Kirtani Jatha" in Overview of World Religions]