Panel to oversee Akal Takht chief’s appointment: SGPC president

The president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Harjinder Singh Dhami, has stated that a committee will soon be constituted to review suggestions regarding the appointment, qualifications, responsibilities and retirement of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

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Dhami said that following a resolution passed in the budget session of the SGPC, suggestions were invited from Sikh organisations, societies, intellectuals and institutions until May 20, 2025.

A committee will now be formed to evaluate these proposals. He said that representatives of various organisations, leaders of Sikh institutions and Sikh intellectuals will be included in the committee. The SGPC president emphasised that there has long been a demand and discussions and in light of this, the SGPC has initiated action and sought input from the community.

Meanwhile, Dhami also addressed the case of former Akal Takht Jathedar Gurdip Singh Kaonke, who was allegedly tortured and martyred in police custody.

He said that on January 14, 2024, the SGPC, with the cooperation of Jathedar Kaonke’s family, submitted an application to file an FIR against the accused, but the Punjab government dismissed it due to its alleged anti-Sikh intentions.

Now, a petition has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Jathedar Kaonke’s son, Hari Singh, on behalf of the SGPC. The court has issued notices to the government and the SHO concerned of Jagraon police station, setting the next date of hearing for July 28 this year.