–Gadgaj to perform services as officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib as well
–Baba Tek Singh appointed as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib
Amritsar, March 7 – The Executive Committee (EC) of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) convened a meeting today at the SGPC office under the leadership of its Senior Vice President Raghujit Singh Virk.
Giving information through a statement issued after the EC meeting, Senior Vice President Raghujit Singh Virk said that it was unanimously decided to hold the SGPC’s annual budget session on March 28 at 12 noon at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, Amritsar. The budget for the year 2025-26, encompassing SGPC, Gurdwara Sahib management, Dharam Prachar Committee, educational institutions, and other related matters, will be presented for discussion and approval, he said.
One of the key resolutions passed in the EC meeting pertained to leadership changes at prominent Sikh Takhts.
About other decisions, Raghujit Singh Virk said that Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has been relieved from his duties as Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and will now serve as the Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib. Similarly, charge of officiating Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib has been taken back from Giani Sultan Singh, but he will continue serving as a Granthi at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib.
He said that Sikh scholar and renowned Sikh preacher Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj has been appointed as the new Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Additionally, he will serve as the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib until an appointment is made. He said that religious figure Baba Tek Singh, head of Bunga Mastuana, Damdama Sahib has been appointed as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib.
Baba Tek Singh
Raghujit Singh Virk emphasized that the appointment of a new Jathedar for Sri Akal Takht Sahib will be done only after extensive consultations with Sikh institutions, Jathebandis and Sampradas and in the meantime, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj will serve as officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib.
Explaining the rationale behind changing the Jathedars, Raghujit Singh stated that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme authority of Miri Piri (Sikh doctrine of close relationship between religion and politics), established by Guru Hargobind Sahib, and remains the spiritual and political center of Sikh governance. However, in the face of growing challenges, the leadership of the former Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, was deemed inadequate in guiding the Panth and addressing contemporary issues effectively.
He highlighted concerns over increasing divisions within Sikh institutions, rising threats to Sikh identity worldwide and the alleged failure of the former Jathedar to take a firm stance on critical Panthic matters. His inconsistent statements and reluctance to address serious incidents impacting Sikh values and morality led to disappointment among the Sikh Sangat.
“In this era of globalization, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib must provide clear, unwavering leadership to safeguard Sikh interests. Unfortunately, Giani Raghbir Singh’s inconsistent approach has weakened Panthic unity instead of strengthening it. Given these serious shortcomings, the Executive Committee decided to retire him from the post of Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” said Raghujit Singh Virk.
Reaffirming SGPC’s commitment to upholding Sikh traditions and institutions, Raghujit Singh Virk stated that since its establishment under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925, SGPC has tirelessly worked towards managing Sikh institutions, promoting Gurbani, preserving Sikh history and spreading the universal message of Sikh faith. The organization remains dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges facing the Panth with unity and resolve.
However ,SGPC opposition member Kulwant Singh Prain alleged that before the EC meeting today the agenda of the meeting was not shared with any of the members just tabled whereupon it was said Jathedar Ragbir singh Virk being removed due to his alleged wayward and errant behavior as he never bothered to inform SGPC about his foreign visits and there were many others similar things which were against the discipline.
The meeting was also attended by OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, secretaries Partap Singh, Sukhminder Singh, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Personal Secretary Shahbaz Singh, Assistant Secretary Gurnam Singh, Balwinder Singh Khairabad and Legal Advisor Advocate Amanbir Singh Siali, among others.
The meeting was also attended by SGPC’s Junior Vice President Baldev Singh Kalyan, General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala and EC members Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Amrik Singh Vachhoa, Surjit Singh Tughalwal, Paramjit Singh Khalsa, Surjit Singh Garhi, Baldev Singh Kaimpur, Daljit Singh Bhinder, Sukhharpreet Singh Rode, Ravinder Singh Khalsa, Jaswant Singh Purain, Paramjit Singh Raipur, Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan.
