SGPC passes budget of Rs 1,386.47 crore for 2025-26 financial year

Amid protests by Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organisations over the removal and appointment of Takht jathedars allegedly in an arbitrary manner, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today tabled an annual budget of Rs 1386.47 crore for the 2025-26 financial year.

This is an increase of Rs 10 per cent from the last year's budget of Rs 1260.97 crore for 2024-25.

SGPC general secretary Sher Singh Mand presented the proposed annual budget with the details of the income and expenditure, which was passed by the general house held at Teja Singh Samundri Hall today.

On the other hand, a cavalcade of Sikh organisations, including activists of Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh organisations, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management body,  led by Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh "Dhuma" were prevented by the police from reaching the SGPC's headquarters located in the Golden Temple complex.

However, the protesters managed to reach the Heritage Street leading to the Golden Temple. Later, they sat near Sri Gur Ram Das Jee Langer Hall entry point.

Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa said that it was their peaceful protest against the ‘anti-Panthic’ decision of removing and appointing Takht Jathedars recently by the SGPC.

He said that during the ‘panthic ikath’ at Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of Hola Mohalla on March 14, the attendees, including Nihang Singh and members of various Sikh organisations, had outrightly rejected the newly appointed Takht Jathedars and demanded the reinstatement of the earlier ones.

"The SGPC has done a blunder by violating the Sikh maryada and principles while dismissing the three Takht Jathedars, belittling the sanctity of the Takhts. The SGPC has to revoke its decisions. We will compel the SGPC to do so,” he said.

The Taksal maintains that this decision does not align with Panthic traditions and sentiments.

On March 7, the SGPC executive had appointed Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib with an additional charge of the Akal Takht in Amritsar as “acting Jathedar.”

The appointment was made after removing Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Sultan Singh as the Jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, respectively. However, they held the positions as head granthi and granthi of Golden Temple, respectively.

Similarly, Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula was appointed Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo.

The seat became vacant after the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in February.

Meanwhile, the Jathedars, including Giani Gargaj, skipped today's General House meeting.