Jathedar Gyani Harpreet Singh of Takht Shree Damdama Sahib has alleged that some Akali leaders are targeting his character to divert attention from Shree Akal Takht Sahib’s directives regarding the reorganization of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He said that he would not attend any meeting of the Sikh Jathedars who would deviate from the directives of the Akal Takht.
Addressing a press conference at Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo on Wednesday, Gyani Harpreet Singh said that he and his family had vacated the government residence and was ready to resign if the Shiromani Gurudwara Management Committee (SGPC) decided to remove him. .
Before addressing the media, Gyani Harpreet Singh spoke from the Takht Damada Sahib podium to respond to allegations of illicit relations with a female relative.
‘I will not resign. If SGPC wants to remove me, they can. I will welcome their decision,” he said, amid speculation that the SGPC may replace him during the interim committee meeting on Thursday.
He added, “I have made it clear to those who contacted me and I repeat it now: I will not participate in any meeting of Jathedars designed to ignore the directive issued by the Akal Takht Sahib on December 2.”
The Jathadar has alleged that a person named Nachtar Singh used his personal funds to abuse him. While a person with the same name heads the IT wing of SAD, Gani Harpreet Singh did not clarify that they are the same person.
Commenting on a possible change in the Akal Takht Sahib’s directive, he said, “It could include changes in the resignation clause, committee membership, or the party’s reorganization process.”
He accused the SAD leaders of using the extra 20 days given to implement the Akal Takht Sahib’s directives as an opportunity to launch a smear campaign against him. “They want to break me and force me to go away,” he claimed.
“My only fault is that I was part of the collective decision taken by the five Jathedars at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 2. It was not my personal decision, but I was the only one. There was a time when Akalis respected and protected women’s modesty. “Trollers cannot be called Akali – they are followers of a sect. They should study the heritage of SAD, who fought for the sect, not the individual,” he said.
Asked whether the December 2 directive would be revised, he replied, “The truth will come out in the coming days.” If the decision is changed, the judgment will be in the panth’s court.
On December 2, Akal Takht’s Jathedar Giani Raghveer Singh announced religious punishment to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and others. He declared, “The leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal has lost its moral right to lead the political leadership of the Sikh panth. Thus the Panch Singh Sahibs have formed a committee to oversee the reorganization of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Recruitment process should be transparent, Aadhaar card is required for new members. According to the constitution, the election of the president and other officials should be completed within 6 months.
The Jathedar also directed the SAD Working Committee to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Although Sukhvir Singh Badal and other SAD leaders have completed their penance, no significant steps have been taken to implement the Akal Takht Sahib’s reorganization directives.
Gyani Harpreet Singh commented, “Some Sikhs feel the December 2 decisions were not tough enough, while others feel they were too tough.”
After the December 2 directive, Gianni Harpreet Singh has faced constant trolling on social media, with personal attacks accusing him of masterminding the decisions.
Addressing the personal allegations, he said, “A former SAD leader and some Akali leaders of Muktsar hired someone to spread false defamatory claims against me. Interviews with these people were aired on various channels. I have instructed my lawyer to remove these defamatory interviews. In my name A fake social media page was also created, which I deleted after filing a complaint with the authority.
He further said, “If any of these allegations are true, I pray to God to punish me. But there is no truth in any of these allegations. I paid for my sister-in-law’s education and later married her. She is like my daughter. She Faced domestic violence in my marriage and separated.These incidents are 18 years old.Because of the decision of 2nd December, social media is being used to falsely target me and my family.
A video of Gyani Harpreet Singh losing his temper during an argument with Virsa Singh Valtoha, who was summoned to Sri Akal Takht Sahib on 15 October, has also surfaced. During the debate, Gyani Harpreet Singh was heard using foul language. The Akal Takht Sahib directed the SAD to expel Valtoha and warned Sikh Jathedars not to defame them on December 2.
In the leaked video, Giani Harpreet Singh said, “I don’t know how the clip got released. Giani Raghbir Singh had only one copy. If the full video goes public, people may criticize us (jathedars) for not being strict with Valtoha.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package