Title: Gurmat-Based Sikh Governance: Re-centering Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Akal Takht, and Sarbat Khalsa in Panthic decision-making (Version 2.1)

This working paper sets out a constitutional vision for Gurmat-based Sikh governance under Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the living Shabad-Guru, one Jot with the Ten Gurus) while recognizing the distinct and limited role of statutory/administrative bodies that manage gurdwara property and operations. It argues for a clear hierarchy of authority—Akal Purakh → Shabad-Guru (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) → Guru-Panth acting through representative Panthic deliberation (Sarbat Khalsa and Gurmatta)—and for a strict institutional separation between (1) Gurmat decision-making on doctrine/discipline/fundamentals and (2) administrative trusteeship (property, finance, staffing, compliance, operations). Historically, the Akal Takht institutionalizes miri–piri (temporal and spiritual responsibility), and Sarbat Khalsa/Gurmatta represent a Panth-wide decision mechanism. The paper diagnoses modern governance failures that arise when trusteeship is treated as sovereignty (political capture, legitimacy disputes, weak due process, opacity, and global underrepresentation) and proposes reforms that operationalize Gurmat principles through transparent representation, documented process, due process, and appeals. Where Gurbani is quoted, Gurmukhi is quoted verbatim with Ang reference. Any English provided alongside is a brief sense rendering unless a named translator is explicitly cited. This deposit includes: (1) the full paper (v2.1) and (2) a companion Executive Summary (v2.1) for readers who want the high-level argument and model quickly. Gurmukhi quoted verbatim; English is “sense rendering” unless a named translator is cited Canonical version is the Zenodo DOI; mirrors must link back to the concept DOI.