Amritsar, June 16 – The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday in an emergency meeting of Executive members of SGPC appointed Giani Raghbir Singh as the new (regular) Jathedar of the Akal Takht the highest Sikh temporal seat.
Giani Raghbir Singh replaces acting Jatehdar Giani Harpreet Singh who was appointed in 2018 by the SGPC. He remained as acting Jatehdar for the past four and a half years.
Now Giani Sultan Singh would be the next Jatehdar Takht Kesgarh Sahib replacing Giani Ragbir Singh, said Dhami adding that now Giani Ragbir Singh besides Jatehdar Akal Takht would also hold additional charge of Head Granthi (priest) of Golden Temple Amritsar.
Addressing the press conference here, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami informed that Giani Harpreet has resigned voluntarily from his additional charge as Jatehdar Akal Takht and at the same time he will continue to serve as the Jathedar of Takht Damdma Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda.
On being asked about the resignation of acting jathedar Harpreet Singh as he had submitted resignation in writing, Dhami replied, “No, “I have talked to him over the phone and he gave his consent for the appointment of regular Jathedar Akal Takht , he quipped.
Adding further Dhami said, “It is not easy to leave such a significant post, but Giani Harpreet Singh has set an example. SGPC respects him for this act”.
Talking to media after his appointment as Jatehdar Akal Takht, Giani Ragbir Singh said, “ I am thankful to Guru Ramdas Ji ( Fourth Sikh master) who gave me privilege to serve as a Sewadar of Akal Takht Amritsar which Shiromani ( supreme) Takht among five Takhts.
Talking about his predecessor Giani Harpreet Singh, he said that I always enjoyed good terms with him and in future would also discuss important issues with him. However, earlier, Giani Harpreet Singh remained in news for regularly questioning the present leadership of SAD, advising them to shun political motives to concentrate at Sikh religious affairs. He was landed in sheer controversy when he had attended the pre-wedding event of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra at Kapurthala house in New Delhi. SAD spokesperson and former MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha had publicly opposed his participation in a private event that was deadly against the Sikh tenets.
