Damdama Sahib Jathedar quits, accuses Valtoha of harassment

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, today resigned from his post, accusing former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha of threatening him and trying to malign his image.

His resignation comes a day after a panel of five high priests, of which he was a part, “recommended the expulsion” of Valtoha from the SAD, while holding him guilty of “denting the credibility” of Takht jathedars. Valtoha, in his clarification, directly targeted Giani Harpreet Singh over his “connivance with the BJP and the RSS”.

Row over meeting with Shah

• Former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, during the hearing before the five high priests on Tuesday, had presented old video clips and CCTV footage, showing Giani Harpreet Singh purportedly meeting Home Minister Amit Shah in 2022

  n In his defence, Giani Harpreet Singh had stated that his meeting with Shah and others and his statements were never a secret

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Gets akal takht’s support

• Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has directed SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami not to accept Giani Harpreet Singh's resignation, saying the development would force all jathedars to quit
• He said, "The Jathedar has resigned after derogatory comments were made against him and his family members. I urge him to review his decision."
• "If the SGPC accepts his resignation, all jathedars, including me, will resign," he said.

SAD accepts Valtoha’s resignation

• Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Valtoha from the primary membership of the party for 10 years

Giani Harpreet Singh, who earlier served as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, said he had submitted his resignation to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. “I have urged Dhami to accept my resignation as I would no longer be able to shoulder the responsibility of this coveted post under such pressure,” he said.

Giani Harpreet Singh also conveyed to the Centre and the Punjab Government that his security and perks should be withdrawn. “I will lead the life of a ‘humble Sikh’. I have no resources to afford the security. I have requested both the governments to withdraw my security and vehicles,” he said.

He said he was pained that both the SAD and the SGPC had been shielding Valtoha. “Initially, he maligned my image. Now, he is targeting my family members. I am getting threats that my family members would be ‘molested’ publicly. I have two daughters. The mental agony I have been going through is beyond limits,” he alleged.

He claimed the threat messages were being sent at the behest of the social media wing of the SAD. “I have come to know that some SAD leaders were behind this. I am deeply pained that even the SGPC is silent over the matter,” he said.

Refuting the allegations, Valtoha said Giani Harpreet Singh had become the target of a well-oiled conspiracy hatched by the Delhi Government. “He is levelling baseless allegations. If he has proof, he is welcome to initiate action against me. I can never think of targeting anyone’s family,” he said.

Dhami said he had assured the Jathedar that the SGPC would always support and stand by the cause and dignity of the Takht Singh saheb and abide by their directions. “I also appeal to Giani Harpreet Singh and other jathedars to avoid creating division,” he said.