Akhand Kirtani Jatha

The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) is a Panthic organisation built around akhand kirtan, uninterrupted devotional kirtan from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and a strict observance of rehit. It is associated with Bhai Randhir Singh (1878 to 1961). Its own website says it has allegiance to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Its founder

Bhai Randhir Singh was born on 7 July 1878 in Ludhiana district. He became a leader of the Ghadar movement in the Malwa region, led about 60 comrades towards Ferozepur cantonment on 19 February 1915, and on 30 March 1916 was sentenced to transportation for life in the Lahore Conspiracy Case II. He spent years in the jails of Lahore, Multan, Hazaribagh, Rajahmundry and Nagpur, fasting at Multan to win religious rights for Sikh prisoners. After his release in October 1930 he spread akhand kirtan and akhand paths. He wrote more than three dozen books and tracts, among them his jail autobiography, and died at Ludhiana on 16 April 1961. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism does not name the Jatha in his entry, and accounts differ on exactly when the Jatha took shape. Wikipedia says the name came into use during his long non-stop kirtan sessions in historic gurdwaras.

What it does

The Jatha holds akhand kirtan samagams, rainsabai kirtan (all-night kirtan), simran, Asa di Var kirtan and akhand paths, with programmes in India, Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and Hong Kong.

Its part in this history

On Baisakhi, 13 April 1978, the Nirankaris held a convention in Amritsar. The Damdami Taksal, under Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, led by Bhai Fauja Singh, marched in protest. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism calls the Jatha "another purely religious organization." Nirankari guards fired, killing 13 Sikhs on the spot and wounding 78, according to the Encyclopaedia. ThePrint reports that Fauja Singh was killed by the guard of the Nirankari head, Gurbachan Singh. The Nirankaris said they were attacked by armed fanatics, while several reports say they were heavily armed. On 4 January 1980 a sessions judge at Karnal freed all 64 Nirankari accused, including Gurbachan Singh. ThePrint says the court held that they had acted in self-defence. ThePrint calls the clash a turning point that led to almost two decades of conflict in Punjab.

Key moments

• October 1930: Bhai Randhir Singh released from prison.
• 16 April 1961: Bhai Randhir Singh dies.
• 13 April 1978: Fauja Singh and other Jatha members join the Amritsar protest.
• 4 January 1980: the Nirankari accused are acquitted.

Where it stands today

The Jatha continues its kirtan samagams across several countries.