Will not withdraw resignation: SGPC chief Dhami

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Thursday declined to withdraw his resignation.

“I have submitted my resignation and will not withdraw it,” said Dhami after meeting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, a day prior to the SGPC’s executive

body meeting.

Asked what if the SGPC’s executive body urges him to review his decision, he said, “It will be the prerogative of the executive body.”

On February 17, four-time SGPC president Dhami had offered to step down on “moral grounds” following a statement on social media by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who criticised the manner in which Giani Harpreet Singh was removed by the SGPC, charging him of “moral misconduct”.

Dhami had also offered to quit the seven-member committee appointed by the Akal Takht Jathedar to oversee the membership drive of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

The SGPC has called its executive body meeting tomorrow to decide on Dhami’s resignation, besides discussing and announcing the date to present the annual budget for the fiscal 2025-2026.

Earlier, Giani Raghbir Singh had also met Dhami in person at his residence in Hoshiarpur, persuading him to rejoin his services.

In its last executive meeting held on February 21, the decision on Dhami’s resignation was kept pending. It was unanimously decided to approach him personally.

A five-member panel constituted for the purpose also met Dhami at his residence, yet sources said the meeting remained inconclusive. The panel included SGPC’s junior vice-president Baldev Singh and executive members Harjinder Kaur, Surjit Singh Tugalwala, Baldev Singh Kayampuri and Sukhharpreet Singh Rode.

With the SGPC’s annual budget likely to be represented in the last week of March, it would be necessary for the executive body to either accept or reject Dhami’s resignation and appoint someone in his place.

In case Dhami’s resignation is accepted, senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk would work as acting president. An official, preferring anonymity, said if a new entrant had to be considered, then a General House would have to be called to seek approval for a new name.

“The budget is presented by the secretary general, but it is mandatory to be endorsed by the SGPC president or acting president,” he said.

Rebels mull adding ‘suffix’ to SAD

To counter the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership’s claims of legal hurdles in conducting a ‘parallel’ membership drive, the Akal Takht constituted ‘five-member panel’ is contemplating to add a ‘suffix’ to the

Shiromani Akali Dal

A ‘rebel’ SAD leader said several names were under consideration. The Akal Takht-constituted committee will kickstart the fresh membership drive on March 18, after performing ‘ardas’ at the Takht