SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami resigns, cites pressure over SAD role

AMRITSAR: While taking responsibility for the serious concerns raised by Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, over the removal of Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami resigned from his position on Monday.
Dhami, the four-time president of SGPC, addressed the media to share his sentiments following a Facebook post by Giani Raghbir Singh on February 13. In his post, Giani Raghbir Singh raised objections and questioned the reasons and methods behind the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh from his position.
Quoting the final lines of the post, which condemned the dismissal of Giani Harpreet Singh as an act aimed at undermining the independent existence of Takht Sahiban, Dhami stated, “I take moral responsibility for this action and resign from the presidency of SGPC.”
On February 10, the Executive Committee (EC) of SGPC terminated the services of Giani Harpreet Singh based on the findings of a report submitted by a three-member subcommittee formed by the EC to investigate allegations made against Giani Harpreet Singh by one of his relatives.
Dhami informed that he had submitted a letter requesting to be relieved from the seven-member committee formed by the Sikh high priests on December 2, 2024, for enrollment in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Dhami was first elected as the President of SGPC in 2021. In 2022, Bibi Jagir Kaur, the former SGPC president and a former cabinet minister in the Parkash Singh Badal government, challenged Dhami in the presidential elections. However, Dhami successfully defeated her, retaining his position as SGPC president.