SGPC to elect chief, office-bearers today

The 179-member SGPC House will vote to elect its president and office-bearers, including general secretary, senior vice-president and junior vice-president during the General House to be held at Teja Singh Samudari Hall on Monday.

Harjinder Singh Dhami secured 104 votes to Bibi Jagir Kaur’s 42 in the annual SGPC presidential elections in 2022. He achieved a similar margin in 2023. As the election draws near, both camps remain confident in their ability to secure the presidency.

With a focus on autonomy, preservation of tradition and calls for unity, the October 28 election will serve as a litmus test for the direction of the SGPC amid mounting political pressures.

Tensions are high as two political factions — Shiromani Akali Dal and its splinter group SAD Sudhar Lehar—compete for control. The election promises a tight contest between the current SGPC president Dhami, representing SAD, and former three-term SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, leader of SAD Sudhar Lehar.

Jagir Kaur criticised SAD for abruptly rescheduling a meeting meant to gather support among SGPC members, accusing the group of lacking confidence in its numbers. She claims to have garnered support from 125 members.

Kaur’s pitch to SGPC members centres around restoring the “independent authority” of Sikh institutions and leaders, such as the Jathedars of the five Takhts, and promising reforms to prevent external political influence.

Her campaign focuses on enhancing facilities for devotees, digitising SGPC’s land records and launching a renewed push for Sikh religious outreach through initiatives like the Dharam Prachar Lehar.

Kaur’s candidacy is backed by her reputation as a decisive leader unafraid to taking tough calls. Having joined the SAD in 1995, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an MLA in 1997 and later serving three terms as SGPC president. She has pledged to work for the autonomy of the SGPC, framing her campaign as a movement to preserve Sikh values and traditions.

On the other side, Dhami is seeking re-election based on his past achievements, including initiatives like adding portraits of Sikh martyrs at the Central Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple.

The Dhami camp contends that the SAD would secure a substantial majority in the election. He alleges that “anti-Panthic” forces, including the BJP, RSS and other political parties, are using financial inducements to influence SGPC members and undermine SAD’s influence over Sikh institutions.

He argues these forces aim to take control of Sikh bodies and institutions built on the sacrifices of Sikh followers.

In his appeal for unity, Dhami has urged the Khalsa Panth to rally against what he describes as “nefarious designs” aimed at dismantling Sikh institutional independence. He claims that various Sikh bodies, such as Takht Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib, are already under external influence through government intervention.