SGPC head rejects Giani Harpreet’s resignation

Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami has rejected the resignation of Talwandi Sabo-based Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, saying that the SGPC has always respected the Takht jathedars and would continue to do so. Speaking to the media Thursday, Dhami said, “The services rendered by Harpreet Singh at Takht Damdama Sahib and Akal Takht have been commendable and the community needs him in the future too.”
Giani Harpreet Singh had resigned following consistent attacks by senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, who quit the party following the Akal Takht directive on expelling him for 10 years over his allegations that the jathedars were under pressure of RSS and BJP.Valtoha had attacked Giani Harpreet again on Wednesday and put up a post on his Facebook questioning how he could be part of the panel of the Singh Sahibans (Sikh high priests) when all his allegations were against Giani Harpreet Singh and the material he submitted was also against him.
The Akal Takht jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, in a show of support for Giani Harpreet Singh, on Wednesday directed SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami not to accept his resignation. He had warned that if the resignation is accepted, all the jathedars of the Takhts, including Akal Takht, will be forced to tender their resignations. The SGPC president blamed the anti-Panth forces targeting Sikh institutions for the crisis. Accusing RSS and BJP of breaking Sikh institutions, Dhami said an example of this was the formation of a separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee after splitting the SGPC and direct interference by the govt in Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and in managements of Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded, and Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib.