SGPC accepts resignation of Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Gurbachan Singh
Gyani Harpret Singh appointed acting jathedar
By Jagmohan Singh
Amritsar, Oct 22 -SGPC Executive today appointed Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh as acting Jathedar of Akal Takhat . The meeting presided over by SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal, accepted the resignation of Jathedar Akal Takht ((Highest Sikh Temporal seat))Gyani Gurbahcan Singh unanimously.
Immediate after the meeting, SGPC president Longowal confirmed the acceptance of resignation of Gyani Gurbachan Singh. He said that resignation was accepted unanimously.
Adding further, he informed that Gyani Harpreet Singh who is currently Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib has been appointed acting Jathedar Akal Takht Amritsar.
Longowal made it cleared that Gyani Harpreet Singh has been given additional charge of Akal Takht Amritsar and at the same time he would remain regular Jatehdar of Damdama Sahib.
Longowal said that it was not first time an acting Jatehdar Akal Takht was appointed, since in past it happened many times.
Longowal said that in the coming time a regular Jathedar to be appointed as per Sikh customs while following the age old Sikh religious traditions.
It may be mentioned here that this month on October 19, expressing his inability to continue as Jathedar Akal Takht due to ill health, Gyani Gurbahcan Singh had tendered his resignation.
Singh in his resignation letter said, “The age related health issues perturbing me constantly and such things have realising me that to serve this spiritual and pious seat has become tough. Moreover, this is very accountable spiritual service, required sound health”.
He further added, “In the light of my ill health, I feel inability to serve this religious position and request the SGPC president and SGPC Executive to appoint some appropriate personality in his place while reliving me from this pious seat”.
In his resignation letter, talking about controversial Head of Dear Sacha Sauda Sect chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, he said, “The decision to extend him pardon during his tenure was objected by and large but later on pardon was withdrawn with the consent of five Sikh head priests, Nevertheless to say Sikh community also expressed its deep anguish over the pardon extended to self-styled Saint”. He also cited couplets from Guru Granth Sahib said, “to err is human”.