The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today decided to appoint Giani Raghbir Singh, a granthi at Harmandar Sahib, as the acting Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. He will replace Giani Phoola Singh, head granthi of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, who was given additional charge of the Takht on Wednesday after the death of Giani Mal Singh.

The SGPC executive committee, during a meeting held at Gurdwara Bhattha Sahib here, decided that Giani Phoola Singh would continue as the Takht’s head granthi.

SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar said the committee had decided to regularise the services of Giani Harpreet Singh, acting Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.

He said the SGPC would open an institute at Bahadurgarh near Patiala to provide coaching to Sikh students for competitive examinations, including the civil services. Besides coaching, board and lodging would be provided free at the institute, he added.

Meanwhile, the ashes of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh were immersed at the ‘asthghat’ of Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib here today. Those present included Badungar, former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, former minister Daljeet Singh Cheema and SGPC general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla.

Harmandar Sahib head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh recited the ‘path’ of Japji Sahib, while Giani Harpreet Singh performed ‘ardas’.

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