Giani Harpreet Singh appointed acting jathedar of Akal Takht

Wednesday 24th October 2018 02:44 EDT
 
 

AMRITSAR: Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh has been appointed acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which appoints the Sikh clergy, met on Monday and accepted Giani Gurbachan Singh's resignation. Executive committee of the SGPC gave Giani Harpreet Singh additional charge of acting jathedar of the Akal Takht. President Gobind Singh Longowal, who chaired the meeting at Teja Singh Samundari Hall said Giani Harpreet Singh will remain on the post till a permanent jathedar is appointed.

Hailing from Gidderbaha, Muktsar, the 45 year old currently pursues a PhD in Comparative Study of Religious Teachings of Quran and Guru Granth Sahib, from Punjab University. He spent the first two years as 'parcharak' of the SGPC before he was appointed head granthi of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Muktsar, in 1999. He held that position until his appointment to Damdama Sahib. His father was a 'paathi' who passed away a couple of years ago, and has two siblings.

Singh is the second jathedar of the Akal Takht from Muktsar, after Giabi Gurbachan Singh. It would be interesting to know that both have served at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Muktsar. In his resignation letter, addressed to SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal, Giani Gurbachan Singh apologised to the 'Panth' for granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim for imitating Guru Gobind Singh.

Discussions are on in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the SGPC to choose a fresh face for the top post. “Though it is a practice to appoint Takht Kesgarh Sahib jathedar as the acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, this time the SGPC members favoured Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar for the top post,” he said. The name of former Punjab subordinate staff selection board chairman Santa Singh Umedpur was also discussed for the post. Initially, the SGPC shortlisted the names of former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar and former vice-chancellor of Punjabi University Jaspal Singh for the top post considering their educational background and their understanding of the intricacies of the Sikh religion. But both having held administrative posts in the past, were ruled out at a later stage.

Speaking on Giani Harpreet Singh’s appointment, Badungar said: “The young jathedar might not be as experienced as others, but he has a clean image and is non-controversial. “First as a head granthi in Darbar Sahib in Muktsar and then as the Takht Damdama Sahib head, his functioning has been satisfactory,” said Badungar.


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