Punjab Desk
18 February
Ludhiana
Sandeep Dhand
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has resigned from his post following the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. Dhami also stepped down as the head of the seven-member committee overseeing Shiromani Akali Dal’s recruitment. His resignation deepens the ongoing Panthic crisis that has been unfolding since December 2 last year.
At a sudden press conference, Dhami announced his resignation, stating that he was stepping down on moral grounds. He cited recent remarks made by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who criticized the decision to remove Giani Harpreet Singh, calling it unfortunate and painful. Dhami explained that the decision to remove Giani Harpreet Singh was taken with consensus in the SGPC’s executive meeting. However, the public criticism by the Akal Takht Jathedar led him to resign.
After announcing his resignation, Dhami paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and later submitted his resignation letters to the SGPC’s executive committee and the Akal Takht secretariat. His departure comes amid rising tensions between the SGPC, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Takht Jathedars, further complicating the already strained Panthic landscape.