Giani Ragbir Singh Appointed New Jathedar Of Shri Akal Takht Sahib At SGPC Meeting

Giani Ragbir Singh has replaced Giani Harpreet Singh as the new Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib

The Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has been removed from his post. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Shiromani Gurrudwara Prabandhak Committe (SGPC) held at its headquarters at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.on Friday. Giani Ragbir Singh has been appointed as the new Jathedar. However, Giani Harpreet Singh will continue to be the Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.

"Giani Harpreet Singh has resigned from the additional charge of Akal Takht. It is not easy to leave such a significant post, but he has set an example. We respect him for this. He will continue as the Jathedar of Takht Damdma Sahib. I have talked to him over the phone," said SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami while addressing a press conference in Amritsar.

Giani Harpreet Singh was holding the charge of Akal Takht Jathedar since October 2018, in addition to the regular charge of Takht Damdama Sahib, another Sikh temporal seat at Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda).

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 and had not been removed.

"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 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.

(With PTI Input)