Controversial priest once again back as head granthi of Akal Takht

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has reappointed controversial priest Gurmukh Singh, former head granthi of Akal Takht, on the same position.

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He was a signatory to the edict passed by the five Sikh high priests giving pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2015 (the decision was later cancelled).

On December 4, 2024, abiding by the directions of the Akal Takht, the SGPC had transferred former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh and had withdrawan all perks extended to former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.

In 2017, he had alleged that SAD leaders Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal had dictated terms to the clergy for a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2015. Later, the decision was revoked after it had sparked outrage.

He had even appeared before the Panj Piaras and submitted his repentance in writing, stating that the blunder had been committed under political influence.

He was removed as acting jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib in 2017. Interestingly, a year later in August 2018, he was transferred back to Akal Takht as head granthi.

PPCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said such happenings in the SGPC were very unfortunate. Maryada and Astha are being damaged due to politicisation of the religious institutions. This is the reason that the faith of common Sikhs in these institutions is eroding, while there is no decline in their reverence towards the Sikh Gurus.

In 2015, the then five Sikh high priests of the Akal Takht had exonerated controversial Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for the 2007 blasphemous act. The Sikh clergy in 2007 had accused Dera chief of dressing as the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, during a religious congregation of the sect at its headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana. It had led to a breakout of violent clashes between Dera followers and Sikhs in parts of Punjab at that time.

The same year (in 2007), the Akal Takht had issued another edict barring Sikhs from ties with the dera after the sect chief failed to appear before it.

The decision to pardon dera chief in 2015 had sparked a row, with Sikh leaders objecting to the dera chief neither expressing regret nor apologising over his alleged blasphemous act. He had merely denied the allegations of impersonating Guru Gobind Singh, while stating he respects all Sikh Gurus.

Various Sikh bodies had slammed the acceptance of the apology, accusing the clergy of taking the decision under “political pressure”, while stating that it was, perhaps, the first time someone had been pardoned without even appearing before the Takht.