SGPC Forms Panel to Probe Jathedar’s Allegations

by The_unmuteenglish

Amritsar, 20 December 2024: In a move to address the serious allegations against Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday convened an emergency meeting of its executive committee.

The committee swiftly established a three-member panel to investigate the charges brought forth by Giani Harpreet Singh. In the interim, it was decided that the head granthi of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib will continue performing duties under the Takht’s jurisdiction until the investigation concludes.

The allegations, made by Giani Harpreet Singh on Wednesday, stemmed from his claims that some Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders were engaging in character assassination over his role in imposing religious punishment on party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and others on December 2.

A follow-up meeting was held on Friday at Gurdwara Degsar Sahib Katana in Ludhiana, chaired by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami during which the accusations against Giani Harpreet Singh were focused as raised by Gurpreet Singh from Muktsar Sahib.

The SGPC President chose not to comment on the matter when approached by the media. However, a press release issued after the meeting stated that the SGPC executive committee deemed it critical to probe the allegations against the jathedar in light of his important position, underlining the need to protect the dignity of the role.

To that end, a sub-committee was formed, including SGPC senior vice president Raghujit Singh Virk, general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala, and executive member Daljit Singh Bhinder. The panel has been tasked with conducting a thorough investigation and is expected to submit its findings within the next 15 days.

The meeting also resolved that the head granthi will continue his duties at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib until the investigative report is finalized.

Tensions arose during the meeting, particularly from two executive committee members, Jaswant Singh Purain and Paramjit Singh Raipur, who represent the SAD rebel faction. They voiced strong objections to the probe decision, calling for their inclusion in the investigation panel. However, their request was denied.

Purain later addressed the media, expressing his concerns. “If you intend to remove Giani Harpreet Singh from his position, it must be done with respect,” he asserted.

“After all, he holds an honorable post, and the way complaints are being handled is not a trivial issue. What happens when others face similar accusations? If complaints can be filed against us too, will we be removed as well?”

He also called for transparency in the probe. “We demanded opposition representation on the panel to ensure fairness, but our request was rejected,” Purain added.

In a separate but related incident, Virsa Singh Valtoha, recently expelled from the SAD for allegedly defaming Sikh clergymen—including Giani Harpreet Singh—released a video on social media on Wednesday. The video shows Valtoha and the jathedar in a heated argument, in the presence of other clergymen including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.

Reacting to the ongoing controversy, Giani Harpreet Singh questioned the fairness of the investigation. “It is surprising that the group accusing me is the same one overseeing the probe,” he said.

“The decision will likely be made by the very same group. But I’m not concerned because I’m not the first jathedar to face such allegations and insults. This practice has been ongoing for years, and I won’t be the last.”

Addressing his commitment to his role, Giani Harpreet Singh said that he would continue to uphold and promote the religious values and teachings of the Guru.

“I will stand by the panth, fight for it, and die for it,” he said.

“I have already clarified the charges against me in the presence of the Guru. My only wish is that my relationship with the sangat and the panth remains intact.”

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