Giani Harpreet Singh’s tenure of faith restoration and controversy

Jalandhar: When Giani Harpreet Singh was appointed acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht in Oct 2018, the authority and credibility of Sikhism's supreme temporal seat were at an all-time low. He succeeded Giani Gurbachan Singh, who had held the position for a decade — the longest tenure in recent history — but faced very strong derision from the community for his much controversial decision of unilateral pardon to Sirsa dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Sep 2015.
While several of Gurbachan Singh's decisions had sparked controversy, his move to pardon the controversial dera leader led to unprecedented backlash from the Sikh community. Faced with mounting condemnation and open revolt, he was forced ultimately to withdraw the decision a few weeks later. Giani Harpreet Singh's appointment took place when the Bargari Morcha — a movement seeking justice for the Bargari sacrilege and Behbal Kalan police firing cases — was in full swing, adding to the pressure on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to replace the Jathedar.
Intense scrutiny
Restoring the credibility of the position was a formidable task, especially as the SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership faced intense scrutiny over their handling of the sacrilege cases. Giani Harpreet Singh, through his statements and administrative approach, earned broader acceptance gradually, even among Sikhs critical of the Badal family. His ability to navigate controversies helped shield the SGPC from frequent criticism, which it faced for his predecessor's decisions.
His measured response to the invitation for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Aug 2020 further bolstered his standing. While he chose not to attend, his explanation was worded carefully to avoid causing any bitterness among Hindus.
Rough patches & bounceback
However, his tenure was not without difficulties. His handling of the issue surrounding Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, as well as remarks made during the SGPC's 100th-anniversary celebrations, drew criticism from the very community members who had supported him previously. Some saw his comments as an attempt to shield the SGPC leadership from accountability.
Despite these setbacks, Giani Harpreet Singh regained his footing and played a pivotal role in articulating Sikh concerns during major events, including the state-wide crackdown on Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh and his associates. His leadership provided direction at a time when the community felt leaderless amid pressing domestic and international challenges.
SGPC's firm reply
In mid-2023, Giani Raghbir Singh was appointed Jathedar of the Akal Takht, while Giani Harpreet Singh continued in his role as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. The situation escalated after the crisis within the Akali Dal reached the Akal Takht on July 1, 2023. Harpreet Singh came under direct fire from SAD's Virsa Singh Valtoha. The criticism intensified following the Aug 30 decision to declare SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) and peaked after the pronouncement on Dec 2. Harpreet Singh was believed to have played a central role in both decisions and the SGPC leadership acted firmly against him ultimately.