Hukamnama
Hukamnaamaa literally: “Royal Order.”
Hukamnaama word is also used for the letters written by Guru Sahib to a Sikh/Sikhs. The Sikhs respected these letters so much that they used to preserve them as relics. A simple look at such letters (Hukamnaamaas) was considered an honour and those who received these letters felt themselves somewhat ‘special’, hence very proud. Though most of these letters asked the Sikh/Sikhs to send their tithe to Guru Sahib or were asked to send some local product for the court of Guru Sahib. A few of these letters are still in existence. (Most of these have been published in the form of a book). Besides the Hukamnaamaas written by Guru Sahib, some letter written by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s wife and Baba banda Singh are also available.
For the past few decades, the letters/verdicts issued by the caretaker of the building of Akal Takht (i.e. the chief priest) have also come to be claimed as Hukamnaamaas. In fact, during the eighteenth century, the Sikhs used to take their decision by way of Gurmata (Sikh way of consensus). After it was resolved, the Gurmata would be issued as Hukamnaamaa of Akaal Takht Sahib. It was, in fact, the Gurmata of the Sarbat Khalsa and not of Akaal Takht Sahib. When it is issued from Akaal Takht Sahib, it becomes a Hukamnaamaa. So-called Punj Piaray (five priests) or the caretaker of the building (wrongly known as Jathedaar) of Akaal Takht Sahib can’t issue a Hukamnaamaa of his own. Since 1979, the caretakers of Akaal Takht Sahib have issued several controversial so-called Hukamnaamaas, which have seriously harmed this institution in particular and the Sikh Panth in general.
Also see: Gurmata.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)