Jathedars’ removal exposes Shiromani Akali Dal divide, deep chasm between Sukhbir, Majithia

Majithia is brother-in-law of Sukhbir Badal while Bhunder is considered close to the former Akali Dal chief.

Soon after Bhunder’s remarks, Majithia and associates issued a statement expressing disagreement over the decision by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandak Committee Friday to remove Giani Raghbir Singh and Giani Sultan Singh as jathedars of Akal Takht and the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, respectively. The Akali Dal-dominated apex gurdwara body had sacked Giani Harpreet Singh as the Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar.

The three Jathedars had, on December 2 last year, sentenced then Sukhbir Badal for religious misconduct and stripped his father and former Punjab chief minister, the late Prakash Singh Badal, of the Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum title.

In a statement, Majithia said, “The decision taken by the SGPC…has hurt the sentiments of the Sikh Sangat as well as our own. Guru Sahib Ji has granted Sangat a divine status… we cannot agree with this decision”. “We hold the dignity of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Jathedar Sahib…in the highest regard… The dignity of Takht Sahib is not limited to an individual, and whoever is appointed as the Jathedar of this Takht deserves our utmost respect,” it read.