SGPC Appoints Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as Akal Takht Jathedar amid Ongoing Supremacy Battle
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Synopsis
In a significant shift during the ongoing supremacy battle, the SGPC appointed Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the new acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, replacing Giani Raghbir Singh. This decision follows the recent removal of Giani Harpreet Singh from his post, amidst tensions between the SGPC and Akal Takht leadership.
Key Takeaways
- SGPC has appointed Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht.
- Giani Raghbir Singh has been replaced amidst a power struggle.
- Giani Harpreet Singh was removed from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in February.
- SGPC's executive meeting made the decision unanimously.
- Dhami's resignation highlights the ongoing crisis within the Sikh leadership.
Amritsar, March 7 (NationPress) In the ongoing "battle for supremacy", the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday appointed Sikh preacher Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the acting Jathedar (high priest) of the Akal Takht, succeeding the current Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.
This change follows the SGPC's decision to dismiss Giani Harpreet Singh from his position as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in February.
The resolution was made unanimously during the executive meeting of the SGPC, also referred to as the Sikh mini parliament, held here.
In addition to Gargaj, the SGPC also relieved Giani Sultan Singh from his duties as the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. The Akal Takht in Amritsar and Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib are two of the five principal seats of the temporal authority within Sikhism.
Nevertheless, Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Sultan Singh will maintain their roles as the Head Granthi and the Granthi of the Golden Temple, respectively.
"Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has been appointed as the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib with officiating responsibilities as the Jathedar of Akal Takht. SGPC member Tek Singh Dhanaula will assume the role of Jathedar for Takht Damdama Sahib," an SGPC spokesperson informed the media.
Giani Gargaj, 40, has been a ‘katha vachak’ since 2001.
Meanwhile, the decision regarding SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami’s resignation remains unresolved. The SGPC budget session is scheduled for March 28.
The "triggering factor" for the dismissal of Giani Raghbir Singh was his disagreement with the SGPC’s decision to remove Giani Harpreet Singh, which prompted Dhami to resign as the SGPC chief.
During the ongoing conflict between the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), SGPC President Dhami stepped down from his position on February 17.
Stating that he has resigned in honor of the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, Dhami, who is recognized for his closeness to the Badal family, also proposed to resign from the seven-member committee that was established by the Akal Takht Jathedar in December for reorganizing the Akali Dal.
Dhami had been subjected to “criticism” from the Akal Takht Jathedar for dismissing Giani Harpreet Singh from the Takht Damdama Sahib.
Dhami's resignation is perceived as a blow to the Akali Dal, which had exerted pressure on the SGPC executive committee to remove Giani Harpreet Singh, as he played a crucial role in last year’s decree by the Sikh clergy that imposed tankhah (religious punishment) on Sukhbir Badal and other Akali leaders.
