A priest at heart, new Jathedar had backed his predecessor when govt pruned security

After the partial removal of security of Giani Harpreet Singh, Giani Raghbir Singh was seen keeping a pistol along with the conventional kirpan and photos of this had gone viral on social media at that time.

He had also returned the security personnel assigned to him by the Punjab government after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh made a similar decision.

A resident of Sultanwind village in Sri Amritsar, 53-year-old Raghbir Singh started his service as a priest in 1989 and served at various places until 1995. From 1995 to April 2014, he served among the Panj Piaras (five beloved ones) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. On April 21, 2014, he was appointed as the Granthi at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, and on August 24, 2017, he took over the charge as the acting Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. After becoming Akal Takht Jathedar on Friday, he said, “Young people will be encouraged to connect with Sikhism and promote religion throughout India, and intensified efforts will be made to connect disenchanted youth with Sikhism.”

On incidents of sacrilege, he said, “SGPC has been already working to punish those involved in misconduct and will further enhance efforts.“ Raghbir Singh is not connected with any particular group of sect within Sikhs.

“He has almost no one among the Sikh circles. He is just a priest. It would be interesting to watch how he works as Akal Takht Jathedar, a post which brings many challenges and pressures,” said a SGPC member, not happy with sudden change of guards at Akal Takht.

Similarly, new appointee at Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Sultan Singh is also a priest and will continue his service as a Granthi at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib.

It would be first time when two Jathedars will be also performing duties as priests.