SAD’s Dhami elected SGPC chief 4th time

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami was on Monday re-elected the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for a fourth consecutive term. Dhami defeated his rival and former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was fielded by the Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, a rebel faction of the SAD.

Shot in arm for SAD

• The convincing victory of Harjinder Singh Dhami has again cemented the SAD’s grip over the SGPC despite the party facing existential crisis
• Party spokesperson DS Cheema said those who conspired against the SAD and SGPC got a befitting reply
• “It is a clear message that the Panthic mandate is still in favour of the SAD,” he claimed

A total of 142 votes were polled after a proposal by Dhami for completing the election process by “raising of hands” was turned down. While Dhami secured 107 votes, Bibi Jagir Kaur could get only 33. Two votes were declared invalid.

Of 148 members, 142 turned up to participate in the election to the top post of the apex gurdwara body at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in the Golden Temple complex here.

Dhami’s convincing win has once again cemented the SAD’s grip over the SGPC despite the party facing an existential crisis. In the last 15 years, this was the first SGPC elections where SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal was not directly involved as he was barred from participating in any poll activity by Akal Takht after declaring him a “tankhaiah” (guilty of religious misconduct) on August 30. The quantum of “tankhah” is pending as the five Sikh high priests are yet to meet to take a call on it.

SAD spokesperson Daljit h Cheema said those who conspired against SAD and SGPC had got a befitting reply. “Dhami’s win has given strength not only to the SGPC, but also to the SAD. It is a clear message the Panthic mandate is still in favour of the SAD. Our vote share has gone up too. In 2022, Dhami had got 102 votes and Bibi Jagir Kaur 42. Now, Dhami polled 107 votes, whereas Bibi could get only 33,” he said.

Bibi Jagir Kaur accepted the outcome, but said the consciousness of the existing SGPC members seemed to have died. “We had approached almost each and every one urging them to acknowledge ‘zameer di awaaz’ (voice of their consciousness), but they didn’t. I wish that in the upcoming general elections of the SGPC, new members who have dignity and determination to stand by the right get elected,” she said.

Meanwhile, Raghujit Singh Virk was unanimously elected senior vice-president of the SGPC. Baldev Singh Kalyan was elected junior vice-president and Sher Singh general secretary. The proceedings were attended by Golden Temple’s Head Granthi and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh and Akal Takht’s Additional Granthi Giani Malkit Singh. Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was conspicuous by his absence.

Meanwhile, the 11-member executive was also nominated without any confrontation. Similarly, Kulwant Singh Mannan was appointed honorary chief secretary. The post had been lying vacant since 2021 when Dhami resigned from it to contest for the president’s post. Before assuming charge, Dhami, along with other office-bearers and executive body members, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and Akal Takht. “This time, the BJP, RSS, AAP and the Congress tried their best to influence the SGPC elections, but the members showed their commitment to the SAD,” said Dhami.