SGPC Removes Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh

On 10 Feb, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) terminated Giani Harpreet Singh from his post as Jathedar (Leader) of Takht (Sikh throne of sovereignty) Sri Damdama Sahib. SGPC named Giani Jagtar Singh as interim replacement. The decision was made during the SGPC’s executive committee meeting in Amritsar, where a three-member panel’s report against Giani Harpreet Singh was accepted by a majority. SGPC secretary Partap Singh confirmed the allegations—linked in part to an 18-year-old domestic dispute on the basis of a complaint by Gurpreet Singh, married to Giani Harpreet Singh’s sister-in-law—were deemed proven. Three SGPC members objected to the decision and walked out, alleging undue political influence by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Giani Harpreet Singh had previously claimed he anticipated his dismissal, stating he was targeted after participating in pronouncing the 2 Dec 2024 edicts. The Akal Takht (Eternal Throne; AT) had said, ‘SAD has lost moral right to lead’ and the party must reorganize. The AT had awarded religious punishment on SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and others for alleged misdeeds committed from 2007 to 2017. Opposition members argue that the SGPC’s final report lacked transparency, describing it as a ‘hidden agenda’ and claiming they did not receive written documentation. Some leaders, including Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, condemned the move as a ‘political vendetta cloaked in religion.’ Giani Harpreet Singh said, 'I am not the first Jathedar who has been shown the door in such a way. My predecessors have also faced such situations. This will continue to happen until Sikh institutions are liberated from the clutches of political leaders.' There are allegations of Giani Harpreet Singh being close to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Still, his removal opens a chasm among the top three Sikh institutions, namely the Takhts, SGPC and SAD.