Amritsar (TIP)- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday, June 16, appointed Giani Raghbir Singh as the new Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the SGPC executive body that took place here. Giani Harpreet Singh, however, will continue to be the Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.
Addressing the media here, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said Giani Harpreet Singh, who was the acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, himself expressed his wish to relinquish the charge.
“At our executive body meeting, we decided that Giani Harpreet Singh will continue to be the Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib,” Dhami said.
Giani Raghbir Singh has been appointed as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, he added. Giani Harpreet Singh was holding the officiating charge as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht since 2018. He was also holding the regular charge of the Takht Damdama Sahib, another Sikh temporal seat at Talwandi Sabo in Punjab‘s Bathinda.
Giani Harpreet Singh’s presence at the engagement event of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha and actress Parineeti Chopra in Delhi had sparked a row last month. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha had opposed Singh’s attendance at the event.
Giani Sultan Singh Takht Kesgarh Sahib head
Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) granthi Giani Sultan Singh has been appointed as the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. He is said to be close to the chief of a religious dera in the Gurwali locality of Amritsar City, which is known for its proximity to the Badal family.
Giani Raghbir Singh has also been given the additional charge of head granthi of the Golden Temple. Similarly, Giani Sultan Singh will also continue as a granthi at Harmandar Sahib.
Dhami said that the executive panel fully appreciated the services rendered by Giani Harpreet Singh as the acting jathedar of the Akal Takht.