Dhami Withdraws Resignation, 'Damdami Taksal' Opposes 'Jathedar' Removal

On 17 Mar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Executive Committee rejected Harjinder Singh Dhami's resignation as SGPC chief. Dhami had resigned on 17 Feb. On 18 Mar, Dhami withdrew his resignation and took charge again as the chief of SGPC. Meanwhile, on the eve of Hola Mohalla (festival of colors invoking Sikh preparations for battles), the Damdami Taksal (Sikh seminary, DT) delivered a jolt to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) by opposing the sacking of Jathedars (leaders) of the three Takhts (thrones). In 2011, DT led by Harnam Singh Dhumma had entered into an alliance with SAD for the SGPC elections. A Panthic (Sikh Collective) gathering at Anandpur Sahib on 14 Mar called by Dhumma passed six resolutions, including an appeal to the SGPC Executive Committee to respect the feelings of the Sikh Panth and reinstate Giani Raghbir Singh, Giani Sultan Singh, and Giani Harpreet Singh. Another resolution appealed to SGPC to frame rules for the appointment and removal of the Jathedars. The charter said, if SGPC fails to revoke its decision on the removal of the Jathedars, Sikhs from all over Panjab would march to Amritsar on 28 Mar when SGPC will hold its General House Meeting. Meanwhile, on 15 Mar, the newly installed Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who was also appointed Akal Takht (Eternal Throne) acting Jathedar, reiterated his appeal to the Sikh community to unite and announced the launch of a Panthic Lehar (unity wave). Earlier he had said, he does not represent the SAD but is committed to serving the entire Panth. After his uneventful address, Sikh organizations and Nihang (traditional Sikh warrior) groups peacefully took out the traditional procession—a custom from the time of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru (Sovereign). The march marked the conclusion of the three-day Hola Mohalla festival (earlier coverage).