The executive (also known as Inner Committee) may legally call its decision justified, but it is morally, socially and communally wrong.
Editorial: Removal: Stronger steps are also necessary along with condemnation: The removal of Giani Harpreet Singh from the post of Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and his dismissal from the service of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee by the executive committee is an unfortunate decision which should be opposed by the entire Sikh community. This decision shows that the Badal Akali Dal, which controls the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, has not learned anything from the mistakes of the past and has not considered it appropriate to move beyond its narrow political thinking and approach in Panthic matters.
The executive (also known as the Inner Committee) may legally call its decision justified, but it is morally, socially and communally wrong. Perhaps this sense of guilt was dominant in the mind of SGPC President, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, which is why he did not dare to face the media after the meeting of the internal committee on Monday. The leader who used to hold media conferences on every small issue, silently slipping away is a sign of the absence of moral courage. However, the departure of Giani Harpreet Singh from the Badal faction within just five years shows that this faction only wants to use the Panthic status holders as its puppets. Tolerating independent thinking and beauty is not a disease of this faction.
Giani Harpreet Singh is a controversial figure, there is no doubt about it. He was once close to the Badal family and due to this closeness, he rose from the post of Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib, Sri Muktsar to the position of Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. His critics have been describing him as an expert in political ‘networking’. When the Badal family needed it, it also appointed Giani Harpreet Singh as the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht and at the same time retained the status of Takht Damdama Sahib. The scope of work of the Jathedar of Akal Takht demands restraint and modest conduct.
Giani Harpreet Singh’s association with politicians, especially opponents of the Badal faction, while in this position became the reason for many scandals. His tendency to dominate the media also provided his detractors and critics with material to slander him. The same material was used to remove him from the post of acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht last year. After this, the incident of paying salaries to Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Akali leaders on December 2, 2024, the background of that incident and the situation after December 2, Giani Harpreet Singh continued to be a source of concern in the eyes of the Badal faction. This faction has been infamous for its narrow-mindedness and vindictiveness; whatever has happened now is the product of vindictiveness.
The action against Giani Harpreet Singh has been widely condemned in Sikh circles. Along with this, there has been a demand for adopting a new mechanism to legally remove the appointments of Jathedars of Takhts from the clutches of the Shiromani Committee and make them Panth-approved. Two decades ago, this proposal was raised by many Panthic figures that the provision for the establishment of a five-member board for such appointments be included in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. The board should include two representatives from the SGPC, two from Takhts outside Punjab and two from organizations like Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and one from Singh Sabhas so that there is no dispute over the appointment of the Jathedar of the three Takhts within Punjab, especially Sri Akal Takht.
It is a matter of regret that such suggestions become a topic of discussion only during controversies; even those who aspire for the betterment of the Panth very quickly dismiss them. The action against Giani Harpreet Singh has now provided an opportunity to consider this subject afresh. It is hoped that those opposing this removal will not be limited to mere rhetoric but will take some concrete steps. The religious interests of the Sikh community should not be allowed to remain a slave to the political maneuverings of a political faction. The community is in dire need of true guidance and good guides at this time.
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