The Forgotten 96Krori

To understand the need for this article, we must first appreciate a few key points. This article has not been written to undermine/disrespect any Singh. It is not made for any bandwagons or sh*t stirring; this article has been made for one straightforward reason: to express the truth. What we must understand is that uncertainty doesn’t help any situation and only hinders our progress as a collective. The history books will testify to confusion, and we owe it to the future generation to be clear on any issue. Just as when 22 Saadhs (holy men) proclaimed to be the Guru in the times of the 9^th Nanak, the truth had to be told. The Great Makhan Shah Lubana found his Guru & declared the truth to the world regardless of anybody else's status; this included Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s grandson, Dheer Mal. Therefore, this article puts forward the truth & hopes to shed light upon the real leader of the Guru Khalsa Panth. 

ਅਜਰਾਈਲੁਫਰੇਸਤਾਹੋਸੀਆਇਤਈ॥ ਆਵਣੁਜਾਣੁਨਸੁਝਈਭੀੜੀਗਲੀਫਹੀ॥

Azraa-eel, the Angel of Death, shall be appointed to punish them, and they will find no way to escape the cycle of birth and death; they are trapped in the narrow path.

ਕੂੜਨਿਖੁਟੇਨਾਨਕਾਓੜਕਿਸਚਿਰਹੀ॥੨॥

Falsehood will come to an end, O Nanak, and Truth will prevail in the end. ||2||

(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 953)

Why do we need a leader?

When Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji left this planet, they entrusted all of their infinite wisdom & leadership into two hands: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji & Sri Guru Khalsa Panth Sahib Ji. All of the ideals, customs, traditions, & practices of Sikhi were to be taught via Sri Guru Khalsa Panth Sahib Ji. The leader of this Khalsa sets into place, and maintains, the correct disciplines and customs learned from leaders previous to them. After Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji left this earth, they left the command of the Guru Khalsa Panth in the hands of Baba Binod Singh Ji. From Baba Binod Singh Ji, we have arrived at the 14^th position. Historically, the leader of the Guru Khalsa Panth has been named ‘96Krori’ which gives them the status of the General of the prophesized 960million Shaheed Singhs to come in the time of Satyug (Age of Truth).

ਹੌਖ਼ਾਲਸੇਕੋਖ਼ਾਲਸਾਮੇਰੋ॥ ਓਤਪੋਤਿਸਾਗਰਬੂੰਦੇਰੋ॥

I belong to the Khalsa; the Khalsa belongs to me; they will provide shelter even in the Wild Seas.

(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Khalsa Mehima)

There is and, can only ever be, one 96 Krori at any given time. The 96 Krori Jathedar is the leader of the Guru Khalsa Panth and has historically been recognised as ‘Panth Patshah’ - King of the Panth. Without clarity, there is no direct order, and partitions begin to occur. To achieve Ekta (unity/oneness), a transparent order in a hierarchy was the system used by the Gurus & subsequent leaders of the Guru Khalsa Panth. Any successful world-class army/order has structures, let alone the army of the Creator of the Heavens and Hells. Such arrangements were set in place since Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the Gurtagaddi to the Khalsa (by tying the Kalgi on the sees of Baba Sant Singh in Chamkaur Sahib) and have historically developed throughout the years. 

ਜਬਲਗਖ਼ਾਲਸਾਰਹੇਨਿਆਰਾ॥ ਤਬਲਗਤੇਜਕੀਉਮੈਂਸਾਰਾ॥ 

While the Khalsa stays true, I will offer my full support.

ਜਬਇਹਗਹੈਬਿਪਰਨਕੀਰੀਤ॥ ਮੈਂਨਕਰੋਂਇਨਕੀਪਰਤੀਤ॥

When they follow the ways of others, I will withdraw my assistance from them.

(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Khalsa Mehima) 

*Note: Panjva Takht is currently covering a successor by successor series on the 96 Krori Leaders of the Panth*

Today’s Leadership

If we look today, three individuals have the title ’96 Krori’ exhibited to them: Balbir Singh, Baba Maan Singh, and Baba Joginder Singh. As has been expressed above, this doesn’t make sense & in fact, goes against the hundreds of years of our history, which have clear leadership & strategy. 

14th Mukhi 96Krori Singh Sahib Jathedar
Baba Joginder Singh Ji/Baba Surjeet Singh Ji

Thus, it makes sense to make our position clear from the beginning: the legitimate 96Krori & 14^th leader of the Guru Khalsa Panth is Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Joginder Singh Ji. Utilising logic & tradition, this article will aim to prove this claim. It is important to note that, despite the uncertainty that has occurred in recent times, Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal Khalsa Chakar Varti Chalada Vaheer Panjva Takht is in, and will forever remain in, Chardi Kala (High Spirits). This is because the seeds of the Guru Khalsa Panth have been planted in Sachkhand, and thus when reform is needed, the Guru spreads those seeds throughout the world.

According to Khalsa customs, a new 96Krori leader can only be selected when the former ceases to exist. This can be proven through the words of the 13^th 96Krori leader, Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Santa Singh Ji:

Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Santa Singh Ji 96 Krori Mukhi Buddha Dal was a phenomenal Jathedar whose praises will eventually be covered in the Shiromani Panth Series. Throughout the long drawn out battle between Baba Santa Singh Ji and the Akali Dal/SGPC, Balbir Singh rose against Baba Santa Singh Ji in the 1980s and labeled himself the leader of Buddha Dal. This went on for many years until Baba Santa Singh Ji eventually accepted Balbir Singh back into Dal Panth after Balbir Singh had apologised. However, towards the end of Baba Santa Singh Ji's life, they became seriously ill. In this poor physical state, Balbir Singh took advantage. Balbir Singh went against Khalsa tradition (as shown in the video above) and once again declared himself as the 14^th 96Krori leader. Balbir Singh was known to have strong links with the SGPC who, very astutely, politicly manoeuvred him into position. 

ਨਾਨਾਚਲਿਤਕਰੇਖਿਨਮਾਹਿ॥ਪੂਰਿਰਹਿਓਪੂਰਨੁਸਭਠਾਇ॥

He performs His many plays in an instant; The Perfect Lord is pervading all places.

(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 284)

As with the passing of each Guru, there is a ceremony which any rightful leader has to partake in, to be declared. These ceremonies have traditions and customs with which they are carried out: involving a dastarbandi (tying of turban to symbolise transgression) carried out by members of the 4 Panth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji: Guru Khalsa, Nirmala, Udaasin & Seva Panthi. It requires all prominent figures heads of the Dal Panth Khalsa to come together & anoint someone who has got the capabilities to carry out the role. It’s also contingent on the fact that the current leader, regardless of health, is no longer alive. 

The video of Balbir Singhs so-called ‘dastarbandi’ clearly shows Baba Santa Singh Ji is still alive and, thus, completely goes against the ideals of the Khalsa. The poor physical health of Baba Ji is also evident, which is distressing to watch. A lack of involvement of any prominent figureheads such as Tarna Dal Shaheedi Misl Jathedar Baba Makhan Singh Ji but also, any other major Samprada or Dals, i.e., Nirmala, Bidhi Chandiye, Khyalwale, etc. allows us to deduce the political agenda behind the stunt. Several individuals were to profit off making Balbir Singh the front leader. A dastarbandi firmly rejected by the majority of Dals (battalions) across the board cannot be accepted as being legitimate.  

Balbir Singh w/ Sukhbir & Harsimrat Badal

When Baba Santa Singh Ji 96Krori ascended out of this world, the Guru Khalsa Panth got together and selected a Jathedar. At the time, they chose the Chakarvarti Dal Jathedar, who was already second-in-command, Sachkhand Vasi Baba Surjeet Singh Ji. However, this was not accepted lightly by Balbir Singh. This led to Baba Surjeet Singh Ji having to live a life on the move rendering them unable to have an official dastarbandi. Before they could become officially initiated into their role, Balbir Singh got them imprisoned on false charges (due to his close links to SGPC). While it was still accepted that Baba Surjeet Singh Ji was going to be the next 96Krori, they were unable to perform their role behind bars. 

Therefore, the Guru Khalsa Panth got together &, once again, cast their eye across the Panth to see who was going to be next in line. Along with the advice of Baba Surjeet Singh Ji, the Guru Khalsa Panth chose Baba Joginder Singh Ji to be the next 96Krori & leader of Buddha Dal. It was agreed that they would act as a ‘Karajkari Mukhi’, which meant that when Baba Surjeet Singh Ji came out of prison, they would give the title back to them. It also meant that if anything were to happen to Baba Surjeet Singh Ji, the full reins would be given to Baba Joginder Singh Ji. This meeting can be seen on the video below which shows even Baba Prem Singh Ji said that there is no better option than for Baba Joginder Singh Ji to become the next 96Krori:

Once this was decided, Baba Joginder Singh Ji’s official dastarbandi to become the 14th 96Krori took place on the 19^th of May 2008 at the Barsi of Baba Santa Singh Ji (Gurdwara P:10, Kotakpoora, Moga). 

We can see the stark contrast to Balbir Singh’s alleged dastarbandi here. The majority of the Guru Khalsa Panth that are in attendance include:

Sachkhand Vasi Baba Makhan Singh Ji Shaheedi Misl Tarna Dal, Sachkhand Vasi Baba Prem Singh Ji, Sachkhand Vasi Baba Daya Singh Ji, Sachkhand Vasi Baba Bahadur Singh Ji, Jathedar Baba Hari Singh Ji Tarna Dal, Jathedar Baba Trilok Singh Ji Khyalewale, Baba Gajjan Singh Ji Tarna Dal, Baba Avtar Singh Ji Bidhichand, Giani Surjit Singh Ji Mehrowale, Giani Sher Singh Ambalewale, Sant Giani Bhupinder Singh Ji Boparai Kalan Taksaal, Baba Harnaam Singh Dhuma Metha Taksal along with the Nirmala, Udaasin & Seva Panthis required to carry out the tradition. 

A poster released in 2007 detailing the disdain of all the Nihang Singhs against the actions of Balbir Singh. It details in the writing that the Nihang Singhs are demanding Baba Santa Singh Ji to be returned to Dal Panth along with 300 Nihang Singh Chaunia (Gurdwara) boycotting Balbir Singh and his actions. The writings also describe Baba Joginder Singh Ji as the Mukh (Head) Sevadaar of Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal and show the full support of all Dal Panth for Baba Ji.

At a time where serious bloodshed & conflict was happening between the Singhs, Baba Joginder Singh Ji calmed the situation & kept the peace. They are known to have charming mannerisms, and it was in this manner that they managed to usher in harmony across all of Dal Panth. To carry this out, they had to, at times, meet with the likes of Balbir Singh but, what was the alternative? It was either this or unnecessary bloodshed; we all know which Dasam Patshah (Guru Gobind Singh Ji) would prefer. When Baba Surjeet Singh Ji left this earth while still in prison, Baba Joginder Singh Ji should have automatically been entrusted as the outright, undisputed 96Krori leader.

96Krori Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Joginder Singh Ji
ushering in peace across all of Dal Panth by agreeing to
a ceasefire with Balbir Singh

Since pictures like this began to emerge, individuals starting claiming that Baba Joginder Singh Ji had 'sold out'. Despite the fact that the whole campaign against Balbir Singh was led by Baba Joginder Singh Ji, individuals continued to scrutinise Baba Ji's choices. At the time of pictures like this, tension throughout Dal Panth was rife. Murders were actively taking place & somebody needed to put the Panths best interests first. The Nihang Singhs that occupy Dal Panth are like diamonds & losing even one takes a lot of replacing. Therefore, this picture doesn't show Baba Joginder Singh Ji giving a dastar to Balbir Singh to represent Balbir Singh becoming 96K. This picture merely represents a peace treaty whereby Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal Panjva Takht could once again unite. The Singhs that used to be ordered to have rifles at one another could now sit together & rekindle their love. If Dal Panth chose Baba Joginder Singh as their leader (which they did), then they should trust in their judgement and wisdom. After all, they have been a Mahakaal Singh for over 40 years doing the Seva of Dal Panth and its Singh's with love and humility.

Left: 96Krori Baba Joginder Singh Ji
Centre: 96Krori Baba Santa Singh Ji
Right: 96Krori Baba Surjeet Singh Ji

But, these decisions didn't sit well with individuals that were to profit off the dispute and partitions of Buddha Dal. Therefore, it was at this point; a few key individuals wished to create a new 96 Krori Jathedar, despite the Khalsa custom. This party approached Sachkhand Vasi Baba Prem Singh Ji to act as the 96 Krori Jathedar. Baba Prem Singh Ji accepted the proposal and thus was announced the ‘15^th‘ 96 Krori Jathedar of Buddha Dal after Baba Surjeet Singh leaves the planet. The video of this can be seen below: 

One thing to note is that Sachkhand Vasi Baba Prem Singh Ji is widely respected and heralded across the whole of Dal Panth. They were a genuine diamond, and their presence will be sorely missed. They were also very close with Baba Joginder Singh Ji with their friendship beginning over 40 years ago. However, the truth is the truth. How could there be a 15^th leader when the 14^th was still alive? While figures such as Sachkhand Vasi Baba Buhadar Singh Ji were in attendance, there was a real lack of involvement across Dal Panth. As a previous dastarbandi had already occurred in 2008, it was not necessary to appoint another 96Krori as this was going against Khalsa traditions.  However, recognising Baba Joginder Singh Ji as the next 96Krori doesn’t fit the agenda of a few key individuals. Again, the Puratan Maryada (old code of conduct) of the Guru Khalsa Panth had been abandoned & replaced with something else.

96Krori Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Joginder Singh Ji w/
Sachkhand Vasi Baba Prem Singh Ji

After the passing of Baba Prem Singh Ji, videos have emerged of a ‘16^th’ 96Krori Baba Maan Singh having a dastarbandi. However, this dastarbandi cannot be taken seriously due to the principles set in place by the Guru Khalsa Panth that have been highlighted throughout this article. After the passing of the 13^th head Baba Santa Singh Ji, the 14^th position is occupied by Baba Joginder Singh Ji along with Baba Surjeet Singh Ji in principle. This will remain until the passing of Baba Joginder Singh Ji when the Tat Khalsa (real ones) will get together again and pick the next. 

ਪੜਿਵਾਦੁਵਖਾਣਹਿਸਿਰਿਮਾਰੇਜਮਕਾਲਾ॥

Reading for the sake of debate and dispute, they are hit over the head by the Messenger of Death.

ਤਤੁਨਚੀਨਹਿਬੰਨਹਿਪੰਡਪਰਾਲਾ॥੨॥

They do not understand the essence of reality, and they gather their worthless bundles of straw. ||2||

(Guru Amar Das, Ang 231)

Out of the three options, it is clear to see why Baba Joginder Singh Ji is the legitimate choice. Not only are they widely respected across all of Dal Panth, the Tat Khalsa already recognise them as the legitimate 96Krori. Unfortunately, these Singhs don’t spend their time on Instagram & Facebook, and thus, the real story never gets told. Baba Joginder Singh Ji has been doing the Seva of Dal Panth for the past 45 years, and there are multiple pictures throughout the years showing them alongside Baba Santa Singh Ji & Baba Surjeet Singh Ji. They are situated at Damdama Sahib P6 Chauni Nihang Singha in Ludhiana, Punjab, which they have been maintaining for the past 30 years; this is now the HQ of Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal. Baba Joginder Singh Ji doesn’t need fame or attention, so just like the 9^th Nanak, they remain silent & absorbed in bliss. However, a true Sikh of the Guru will stick to the truth and abandon the love of individuals. The Guru Khalsa Panth is, and always will be, more significant than any individual.

We conclude this article with the hope that it has shed some light on the leadership of the Guru Khalsa Panth along with the opinion that the quicker the Sangat joins with the Tat Khalsa, the faster we will move forward. 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.