Giani Harpreet Singh removed as Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has terminated the services of Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, effective immediately. This decision was made during SGPC’s executive body meeting held at its headquarters in Amritsar.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who chaired the meeting, refrained from talking to the media.
SGPC secretary Partap Singh confirmed that Giani Harpreet Singh’s removal was based on a complaint filed against him. The head granthi of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Jagtar Singh, will take over his responsibilities for the time being.
“For the time being, the head granthi of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Jagtar Singh, would continue to hold the charge. The report submitted by the SGPC panel held Giani Harpreet Singh guilty of the allegations levelled against him. It was accepted by the majority of the executive members and the decision was taken to terminate his services in the light of keeping the sanctity of the Takht,” he said.
The complaint, filed by Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib, on December 16 alleged misconduct by Giani Harpreet Singh. An SGPC panel, comprising senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala, and executive member Daljit Singh Bhinder, was formed to investigate the allegations.
Giani Harpreet Singh’s services were initially suspended for a fortnight, which was later extended for a month. The SGPC panel’s report found him guilty of the allegations, leading to his termination.
However, three opposition members — Paramjit Singh Raipur, Jaswant Singh Purain, and Amrik Singh — walked out of the meeting in protest, alleging that the decision was politically motivated. They claimed that the majority of executive members belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) influenced the decision.
They alleged that terminating Giani Harpreet Singh was a ‘hidden’ agenda and the members were not given prior intimation about this issue ‘officially’.
Paramjit Singh Raipur stated that the December 2 directives of the five high priests, which Giani Harpreet Singh participated in, may have contributed to his removal. They also expressed concerns that the probe report was not provided to them in writing and appeared to be one-sided.
