Amritsar, March 7 — Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Thursday reaffirmed his decision to step down, stating he would not withdraw his resignation.
“I have submitted my resignation and will not withdraw it,” Dhami said after meeting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, a day before the SGPC’s executive body convenes to deliberate on the matter.
Asked if he would reconsider his decision if urged by the executive body, Dhami responded, “It will be the prerogative of the executive body.”
Dhami, a four-time SGPC president, had resigned on February 17, citing “moral grounds” following criticism from the Akal Takht Jathedar over the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh. He also stepped down from the seven-member committee overseeing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) membership drive.
The SGPC’s executive body meeting scheduled for Friday will decide on Dhami’s resignation while also finalizing the date for presenting the annual budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Earlier, Giani Raghbir Singh had personally met Dhami at his residence in Hoshiarpur, urging him to reconsider. In its February 21 meeting, the SGPC executive body had deferred a decision, opting to approach him personally through a five-member panel. The panel, comprising SGPC junior vice-president Baldev Singh and executive members Harjinder Kaur, Surjit Singh Tugalwala, Baldev Singh Kayampuri, and Sukhharpreet Singh Rode, met Dhami but failed to reach a resolution.
With the annual budget likely to be presented in the last week of March, the executive body must either accept or reject Dhami’s resignation and appoint a replacement. If accepted, senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk would take over as acting president.
An SGPC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that if a new president is to be appointed, the General House must convene for approval. “The budget is presented by the secretary general, but it must be endorsed by the SGPC president or acting president,” the official said.
Rebel SAD Leaders Consider Adding Suffix to Party Name
Meanwhile, the Akal Takht-constituted five-member panel overseeing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) membership drive is exploring ways to counter legal challenges posed by the party’s leadership. One option under discussion is adding a suffix to the party’s name.
A senior leader from the ‘rebel’ faction stated that multiple names were being considered, with the new membership drive set to begin on March 18 following an ‘ardas’ at the Takht.
