Dhami quits as SGPC chief on moral grounds amid row over jathedar’s sacking

Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who was elected four times to head the body since 2021, resigned from his position on Monday on moral grounds, adding to the ongoing crisis in the Sikh religio-political sphere.
Dhami's resignation comes four days after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh's statement in a Facebook post on Thursday evening against the sacking of Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh. "After the statement of Giani Raghbir Singh, I take moral responsibility for the decision and resign from the top post of SGPC on moral grounds with immediate effect," said Dhami.
The Akal Takht jathedar had not only questioned the merit and procedure of Giani Harpreet Singh's sacking but also traced its roots to the Dec 2 pronouncement on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its then president Sukhbir Singh Badal from Akal Takht.
Quoting the final lines of the post, which condemned the dismissal of Giani Harpreet Singh as an act aimed at undermining the independent existence of Takht Sahiban, Dhami said he was always committed to the Akal Takht.
Dhami was head of the SGPC executive committee that terminated the services of the jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh on Feb 10.
Without naming anyone, Dhami said that in the past the jathedars were also dismissed following inquiries. He added that the jathedars are elevated to their positions from various earlier roles, such as granthi or Panj Pyare, in the SGPC.
MSID:: 118329360 413 |