Punjab: Giani Harpreet Singh will remain Jathedar

Punjab: A day after the SGPC rejected the resignation of Takht Damdama Sahib’s Jathedar Giani Hapreet Singh, he met Akal Takht’s Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and agreed to continue the services as normal. He held a closed-door meeting with Akal Takht’s Jathedar and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib’s Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh. He later said that as per the directions of Akal Takht’s Jathedar, he will continue to offer his services as long as God permits. “But certainly, the support extended by the ‘Singh Sahiban’ (Jathedars) and other Sikh organisations has written a chapter in Sikh history about this unfortunate incident,” he said.

He said the issue is not a tiff between him and former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha but it is a question of maintaining the prestige of the post he held. On the displeasure expressed against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for maintaining silence earlier, he said, “As a human being, when you are hurt, emotions come out. But now the issue is over. I am thankful to Akal Takht and other Takht Jathedars, Panthic organisations, Sikh leaders and intellectuals who showed solidarity for the Panthic ‘maryaada’ and respect for the prestigious post.” Valtoha had specifically targeted Giani Harpreet Singh in his clarification submitted to the five Mahapurohits on October 15 and alleged that he had links with BJP-RSS leaders. He later made it public on various social media platforms. In retaliation, Giani Harpreet Singh had offered his resignation to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, which was rejected.