SGPC chief calls meeting amid row over probe against Damdama Sahib Jathedar

Days after facing criticism over the decision to probe the charges against Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Damdama Sahib, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has called an urgent meeting of the executive on December 23. The meeting is expected to address the controversy surrounding the probe, which has become a major issue in Panthic circles, as well as other important matters.

The SGPC had earlier constituted a sub-committee to investigate allegations made by Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Muktsar, against the Jathedar. The complainant, who claimed to be married to the Jathedar’s sister-in-law, alleged that the Jathedar had interfered in his personal life and led his wife to leave him. He further accused the Jathedar of using his influence to harass him and entangle him in legal battles, while also stating that he lost his SGPC job and fell into depression.

This move to form a probe committee, comprising SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala and executive member Daljit Singh Bhinder, has sparked outrage among Sikh religious bodies, hardliners and sections of the Sikh Sangat.

In response to the allegations, the SGPC decided to sideline Giani Harpreet Singh, temporarily assigning the responsibilities of Takht Damdama Sahib to the head granthi. This decision was widely criticised by Sikh leaders, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, former Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) president Baljit Singh Daduwal and Dal Khalsa.

Speaking to The Tribune over the phone, Giani Harpreet Singh expressed concern that the members of the probe committee were aligned with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and alleged that they were part of a conspiracy to frame him. “I will not be the first Jathedar who would be removed unceremoniously and of course not the last one. Their tactics prevailed for years. But I cannot be defeated. I am thankful to the Almighty that I was not disconnected with the ‘Sangat’. I will continue to preach religion without any influence, now with more determination, till my last breath,” he said.

Regarding the allegations, Giani Harpreet Singh reiterated his innocence, stating, “There is no iota of truth in the allegations,” adding that he had already clarified the matter in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib and the ‘Panj Pyare’ at Takht Damdama Sahib.