Giani Harpeet Singh’s election as SAD faction president ethically wrong: Jathedar Gargaj

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Thursday said Giani Harpreet Singh’s appointment as the chief of the SAD breakaway faction was “ethically wrong” as it was made against the “spirit of the decree” issued by the Sikh clergy last year.

The faction, led by rebel Akali leaders, had on August 11 declared former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpeet Singh as the president of the party in an orgainsational poll, held months after SAD re-elected Sukhbir Badal as its chief.

The Monday’s orgnaisational poll was held by an Akal Takht-constituted panel, which was earlier rejected by the SAD that held its own membership drive and subsequent election to elect the SAD chief and other office-bearers.

Following Sukhbir’s re-election in April, the Akal Takht had remained mum on the fate of the committee constituted by it through a December 2 edict last year.

However, the rebel leaders have called their faction as the “real” SAD.

‘Against spirit of edict’

Answering media queries, Gargaj said the Akal Takht’s December 2 edict aimed at reorganising and reviving the party while bringing all the factions on a common platform. “But it was not followed in letter and spirit,” he said.

Without naming anyone, he said all “kept their vested interests at forefront while ignoring the ‘maryada’ of the Akat Takht”.

Gargaj also said Giani Harpreet Singh should not have become the president of breakaway faction as it was “ethically wrong”.

He stressed that these were testing times and the Sikh community should be united to face the challenges.

“The position of being a Jathedar is much important than any other rank or post,” he said.