Giani Harpreet Singh hints at pressure behind his ‘resignation’

The former acting Jathedar of Shri Akal Takht Sahib (Giani Harpreet Singh) on Thursday indirectly said that he faced political pressure, which led to his resignation.

The former acting Jathedar of Shri Akal Takht Sahib (Giani Harpreet Singh) on Thursday indirectly said that he faced political pressure, which led to his resignation. (source: file)

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On a day when Giani Raghbir Singh took charge as the new Jathedar of the Shri Akal Takht Sahib here, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, his predecessor Giani Harpreet Singh appears to have lifted the lid on his ‘resignation’, which had raised many people’s eyebrows.

The former acting Jathedar of Shri Akal Takht Sahib (Giani Harpreet Singh) on Thursday indirectly said that he faced political pressure, which led to his resignation. When asked if he resigned on his own as claimed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami – Giani Harpreet Singh while referring to an old interview to a web channel said, “During an interview to a channel in England, I had said that if political pressure is exerted on me, I would leave voluntarily. Hence, I have now submitted my resignation.”

Also read | ‘Removed’ overnight, Giani Harpreet Singh sent 2 reminders to SGPC to make rules on appointing Takht Jathedars

Giani Harpreet Singh was talking to the media during his visit to Amritsar to participate in the ceremony wherein Giani Raghbir Singh took charge as the new Jathedar of the Shri Akal Takht Sahib. He extended his best wishes to the new Jathedar.

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Afterwards, Giani Harpreet Singh said that he resigned according to his own wish. He said, “I had tendered my resignation as per my own will. Before going to Australia, I had expressed to the SGPC my intention to leave the charge of both Takhts. However, the SGPC decided to continue my role as the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. I served at Akal Takht Sahib for five-and-a-half years. I thank the Almighty that I could remain unbiased and serve selflessly. I have no greed for positions.”

When asked if attending Raghav Chadha-Parineeti Chopra engagement ceremony led to his resignation as Akal Takht Jathedar, he said, “No, this was not a big issue. What SGPC did is right as per its wisdom. I have no objection to it.”

On the comment of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) former MLA and party spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha that “Jathedar must have courage”, Giani Harpreet Singh said, “SGPC should appoint Virsa Singh Valtoha as he seems to be a courageous man and make him do whatever it wants.”

Valtoha was among the SAD leaders who had openly opposed Giani Harpreet Singh as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht.

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On the new Gurudwaras (Amendment) Act passsed by the Punjab assembly, Giani Harpreet Singh said, “Whether this bill is legally valid or not, it can only be explained by the experts of law. I would like to say that such circumstances could have been prevented. This move by the government has made a mockery of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.” He added, “A pact was agreed between Master Tara Singh and Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959.

It was agreed that no amendment can be made in this Act without the consent of SGPC general house. And no amendment was made after that. The amendment made by the AAP government is a violation of that pact and it should not have been done.”

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