SAD urges Dhami to withdraw resignation, he says will stick to it

A Shiromani Akali Dal delegation met Harjinder Singh Dhami at his home in Hoshiarpur on Wednesday, urging him to withdraw his resignation from the post of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president.

Dhami had also resigned as the head of the seven-member committee formed by the Akal Takht to oversee a membership drive for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

However, Dhami said he will “stick to his decision” propelled by a “burden on his mind”. Dhami, a member of SAD, did not disclose what burden forced him to step down from the position.

His meeting with the SAD delegation has come two days before the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive is set to meet in Amritsar.

Dhami’s resignation is yet to be accepted by the SGPC executive.

The SAD delegation included party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema, Janmeja Singh Seikhon, Hira Singh Gabria and other senior leaders. The meeting lasted for around one hour.

Cheema told reporters that he was ordered by the party’s top leadership to request Dhami to take back his resignation.

He said keeping the interest of the Panth in mind, the SGPC sometimes takes tough decisions, apparently referring to the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh from the post of the Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib last week.

The sacking had stoked a row, with Giani Harpreet Singh blaming SAD for it.

Cheema said Dhami had some burden on his mind but he resigned without anyone’s advice.

He said Dhami was not angry and still performing duties assigned by the party.