Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh named Akal Takht acting jathedar

Amritsar, October 22

Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has been appointed acting Jathedar of Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.

A decision to this effect was taken at the SGPC executive meeting today. The resignation of former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh was also accepted. He had quit on October 19 citing health reasons.

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SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal said Giani Gurbachan Singh was relieved by the executive and Giani Harpreet Singh would hold additional charge till a regular Jathedar was appointed.

Longowal said Giani Gurbachan Singh had mentioned that his advanced age and ill-health did not allow him to continue. No time-frame has been fixed for  Giani Harpreet Singh’s tenure. 

Born in May 1972, Giani Harpreet Singh, who hails from Gidderbaha in Muktsar, is probably the youngest ever to occupy the chair. He joined the SGPC as a “pracharak” in 1997 before being appointed the head priest of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Muktsar, two years later. After serving as head priest for 17 years, he was appointed Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib in 2017.

Holding a Master’s degree in religious studies, he is pursuing PhD on the comparative study of teachings of Quran and Guru Granth Sahib from Punjabi University.

Reports suggested a lack of interest in filling the post owing to controversies associated with it and massive political intervention, especially that of the Badals.

While quitting, Giani Gurbachan Singh had apologised if any of his decisions had hurt the sentiments of the Panth while referring to the flip-flop on exonerating the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in a blasphemy case. — TNS