SGPC rejects Giani Harpreet Singh’s resignation

A day after the Akal Takht’s directives, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has rejected the resignation submitted by Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.

Showing solidarity with his colleague, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had directed the SGPC not to accept the resignation, else all the Takht Jathedars, including him, would be compelled to resign.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami confirmed that the resignation which he had received last evening on his mobile phone, was outrightly rejected on Thursday.

“I had spoken to Giani Harpreet Singh. SGPC stands with him and other jathedars. All his concerns would be addressed on priority”, he said.

In another significant development, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder, chief spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema and others held a closed door meeting with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh today at his residence in Amritsar.

Later, Cheema revealed that on behalf of SAD, an apology was tendered to the Jathedar, if any member of the party had indulged in passing on derogatory remarks towards any of the Takht Jathedars.

In the backdrop, Giani Harpreet Singh had tendered his resignation to the SGPC president last evening leveling serious allegations against the social media wing of the SAD that he had received threatening messages targeting his family members, questioning his caste at the behest of Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha leading to mental stress.

Valtoha had voluntarily quit the SAD prior to the compliance of the ‘orders of expulsion’ pronounced by the five high priests at the Akal Takht yesterday. Akal Takht had ordered Bhunder to terminate Valtoha’s  primary membership for the next 10 years and barred him from participating in any party activity till then.

Issuing a stern warning to all SAD members, Cheema said that any disparaging statement against ‘Singh Sahibaans’, verbally or on any platform, be it on social media, would not be tolerated any more.

“Though, Valtoha is no longer the SAD member, yet I request him too, to refrain from further mudslinging against the dignity of the ‘Singh Sahibaans’ . I hope that he too would take this advice into consideration”, he said.

Cheema disclosed that he also had a word with Giani Harpreet Singh also and assured no hassled in initiating action, if he could reveal the name of any SAD worker involved in offensive messages against him or his family members’.

“SAD had emerged from Akal Takht principles and was bound to bow before its orders. The Jathedars’ pride and dignity has been of utmost concern to the SAD. Still, I submit an apology from the Panth on behalf of the party, if any of our ‘saathi’ (fellow members) had uttered insulting language against the Jathedars’, he said.

Valtoha was held guilty of allegedly indulging in the character assassination of ‘jathedars’ in public domain through social media while being “under the influence of the BJP-led Central government and the RSS”.

In his clarification submitted before the five high priests on October 15, Valtoha has specifically targeted Giani Harpreet Singh having allegiance with the BJP leaders. He had posted the entire letter of clarification on his social media page too.