AMRITSAR (Punjab), June 16:
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Friday appointed Giani Raghbir Singh as the new Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.
Singh replaces Giani Harpreet Singh who was appointed as the acting Jathedar in 2018.
The decision in this regard was taken in an emergency meeting of the executive members of the SGPC here.
Giani Harpreet Singh, however, will continue to be the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.
Giani Harpreet Singh’s presence at the engagement of AAP MP Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra in Delhi sparked a row last month. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha had then opposed his presence at the engagement event.
Earlier, he had been in the news for questioning the present leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
The SGPC, however, said that the appointment was not linked to these issues.
Addressing the media here, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Giani Harpreet Singh voluntarily gave up the additional charge of the Akal Takht.
He himself asked for appointing a regular Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Dhami said.
“For this he should be praised as it is not easy to leave such a position. Giani Harpreet Singh has set an example. The SGPC respects him for this,” Dhami said.
“Today in our executive, we decided that Giani Harpreet Singh will continue to be the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib,” he said.
Giani Raghbir Singh has been appointed as the regular Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the SGPC chief said.
Giani Raghbir Singh was the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.
Dhami said Raghbir Singh would also hold additional charge of head “granthi” (priest) at the Golden Temple.
Giani Sultan Singh will be the new Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, the SGPC chief said, adding that he had also been given the additional charge of “granthi” at the Golden Temple.
Asked whether Giani Harpreet Singh submitted his resignation, Dhami said, “There is no resignation. I spoke to him and he gave his consent for the appointment of the regular Jathedar of Akal Takht.”
Speaking to the media after his appointment as the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh said, “I am thankful to Guru Ramdas Ji (fourth Sikh master) who gave me privilege to serve as ‘sewadar’ of Akal Takht Amritsar which is ‘Shiromani’ (supreme) Takht among five Takhts.”
On his predecessor Giani Harpreet Singh, Singh said he had always enjoyed good terms with him and would discuss important issues with him in future as well. (PTI)
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