Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, has issued a directive instructing gurdwaras across the state to ensure that the Nishan Sahib flag is either basanti (yellow) or surmai (blue). This decision follows complaints from Sikh organizations about the use of kesari (saffron) cloth to cover the Nishan Sahib, which they argue represents Hinduism rather than Sikhism.
The circular, dated 26 July and issued by the Dharam Parchaar Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), states that this matter was discussed during a meeting of the jathedars of the five takhts (seats of power) of the Sikhs on 15 July. It was decided that the Nishan Sahib’s color should adhere to the Rehat Maryada, the Sikh code of conduct approved by the SGPC.
According to Section 3 of Chapter 4 of the Rehat Maryada, “At a high-level site in every gurdwara should be installed the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag). The cloth of the flag should be either of xanthic or greyish blue color and on top of the flag post, there should either be a spearhead or a Khanda (a straight dagger with convex side edges leading to slanting top edges ending in a vertex).”
Addressing the media, Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, manager of Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple, Amritsar), clarified the directive. “To eliminate any confusion within the Sikh community regarding the color of the Nishan Sahib, it is reaffirmed that the flag should strictly follow the Rehat Maryada,” said Dhangera.
Talvinder Singh, media communications in-charge for the jathedar of the Akal Takht, stated that complaints highlighted saffron as a color associated with Hinduism, not Sikhism. “These instructions aim to ensure uniformity across all gurdwaras,” he added.