Amritsar, October 17 – Shriomani Gurdwara Pharbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami here today rejected the resignation of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, who has sent his resignation to SGPC yesterday.
Addressing the press conference here today, Dhami said yesterday Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had sent his resignation but he was instantly told to withdraw the same for the larger interest of the Sikh Panth, but he didn’t take back his resignation hence it was rejected in the interests of Community.
The SGPC President said that the community is currently going through a critical period, as anti-Panth forces are constantly targeting Sikh institutions. In such a time, it is the common responsibility of all to avoid any dispute and work for the greater interests of the community.
He said that already Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and anti-Panth forces are moving forward with the intention of breaking the Sikh institutions, the example of which is formation of separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee after breaking SGPC and direct interference of the government in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee besides the interference in the managements of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded and Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib. He said their hands are now moving towards Punjab as well, about which the community needs to think. He said that it is not right to get into any controversy for the strength of the community’s institutions. He said that the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib has already ordered that no statement should be made by any party against each other with regards to the ongoing matter of Shiromani Akali Dal and he appeals on behalf of the SGPC that no leader should make such statement which hurts the honour of Sikh institutions and the community.
However, last evening, Giani Harpreet Singh had resigned from his post, accusing the former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha for allegedly issuing threats to him by maligning his image even threatened to outrage the modesty of his daughters, however Virsa had denied the same.
Giani Harpreet Singh was in the panel of five Sikh head priests which recommended the expulsion of Valhtoa from the party fold and thereafter threats begins to come to Giani Harpreet Singh who resigned by saying that besides Jathedar he was also father of two daughters.
Valtoha, in his clarification through social media clip, directly targeted Giani Harpreet Singh having connivance with the BJP top brass and the RSS.
However, Virsa Singh Valtoha claimed that during the hearing before the five high Sikh priests on Tuesday, had presented old video clips and CCTV footage, showing Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh alleged meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2022.
Whereas, Giani Harpreet Singh had stated that his meeting with Shah and others were never secret as everybody was knowing even published in the section of media at that time.
Last evening Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had directed SGPC president not to accept Giani Harpreet Singh’s resignation, if it happens, in such circumstances all Jatehdaras of all Takhts including him would quit forthwith. He said that Giani Harpreet Singh has resigned after derogatory comments; threats were made against him and his family members.
