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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Raghbir HC episode highlights crisis gripping the top Sikh institutions
Jalandhar: Former Akal Takht jathedar and Golden Temple head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh moved the Punjab and Haryana high court against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), apprehending his unfair sacking from the post, an unprecedented move that shocked the community. Later, he announced his withdrawal after facing backlash from the community, once again highlighting the crisis gripping the top Sikh institutions. Until six months ago, Giani Raghbir was at the centre of Sikh religio-political affairs, and people looked towards him with a lot of hope. This was after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) crisis reached Akal Takht exactly a year ago on July 1, and for a few weeks, he was the most powerful individual in the community — deciding its and important organisations' course and fate of individual leaders. The community expected a revival of Akali Dal and the restoration of the prestige and authority of the Akal Takht jathedar and SGPC, eroded by controversial decisions in the past. The Dec 2, 2024, spectacle at Akal Takht appeared to serve all three purposes, but soon things started taking a reverse turn. Now, he has faced a lot of derision after moving the high court. His move has also left those Sikh groups and leaders red-faced who had strongly opposed his unceremonious removal from the post of Akal Takht jathedar in March and were seeking his restoration to the post. Not only Giani Raghbir Singh, but the SGPC and SAD top brass were also criticised by different Sikh quarters for such a situation. When he announced on Monday that he was withdrawing his petition, he did not explain the circumstances that forced him to take such an unprecedented step, even as the contents of his petition pointed a finger towards the top SAD brass. "There is every apprehension that the petitioner will be terminated without affording him any opportunity and illegally, with gross malicious intent to satisfy the affected individuals of the Dec 2024 verdict," he said in his petition while also referring to his unceremonious removal from the post of Akal Takht jathedar on March 7. He sought the intervention of the high court "to protect the sanctity of the post" occupied by him as he was "at the receiving end of the political tussle inside the SGPC." After the Dec 2 pronouncement from Akal Takht, the appointment of a seven-member committee for the membership drive of the SAD had become a highly contentious issue. Sukhbir Singh Badal's camp took a strong position that complying with this could lead to the de-recognition of the party. His camp started the enrolment drive, and the ball was in his court to clear the air. He did not sound unambiguous at the most crucial juncture, even as he said that the seven-member committee still "stood. " After Sukhbir's camp carried out the membership drive to a considerable extent, Giani Raghbir started sounding assertive and clear. He was then removed from the post of Akal Takht jathedar. Takht Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Sultan Singh was also removed. The latest episode has once again raised strong questions about the working of the SGPC, especially its top leadership. Moreover, this has happened at a time when SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami announced the formation of a 34-member committee to frame the procedure and rules for the appointment and removal of the Takht jathedars. MSID:: 122186379 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Akali Dal split spurs double tree plantation drive in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: A deepening divide within the Shiromani Akali Dal has led unexpectedly to a silver lining for Punjab's environment - a doubling down on tree plantation efforts. Both the official Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and a breakaway five-member dissident panel are pushing ahead with sapling plantation drives separately, honouring a directive from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs. The Akal Takht had, on Dec 2, 2024, ordered the fractured factions of the over-century-old party to unite and restructure, while also mandating the planting of 1.25 lakh saplings between March 1 and April 30. While unity remains elusive, both camps have taken the green pledge seriously. And with each faction determined to fulfil the target independently, Punjab is set to witness a plantation drive that could more than double the original goal. On June 18, the dissident panel - comprising Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umedpur, Iqbal Singh Jhundan, and Satwant Kaur - launched its plantation campaign from Ludhiana. SAD, meanwhile, began its official drive on Friday, with senior leaders Daljit Singh Cheema and Hira Singh Gabhria planting saplings at the party headquarters in Chandigarh. SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said: "We've instructed party workers to plant at least 1,100 saplings in each of Punjab's 117 assembly constituencies by the end of July. The delay was necessary. April's extreme heat posed a threat to sapling survival. Even the forest department recommended waiting for monsoon rains." Cheema added that most saplings will be sourced from the forest department, with species selected to suit local conditions. "We're encouraging planting in homes, schools, farms - anywhere they'll be nurtured and protected." The dissident faction echoed similar sentiments. "We treat this as a mission," said Wadala. "The Akal Takht's directive was not just symbolic. It's about restoring Punjab's green cover. We will plant a mix of shady, ornamental, heritage, and fruit trees." While the two groups may remain estranged politically, their competition has, at least for now, translated into cooperative climate action - one tree at a time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Raghbir Singh withdraws plea from high court
Amritsar: Giani Raghbir Singh, former Akal Takht jathedar and head granthi of the Golden Temple, has withdrawn his petition from the Punjab and Haryana high court. The petition had sought legal protection against his potential removal from the position of head granthi. In a statement, Giani Raghbir Singh said that despite unexpected incidents during his service, he consistently upheld Panthic traditions and the 'Rehat Maryada' (Sikh code of religious conduct). He asserted he never intended to harm Panthic institutions. He expressed gratitude to the global Sikh community for their concern following the court filing. He stated his decision to withdraw the case was made out of respect for the community's feelings. Giani Raghbir Singh's initial decision to file the case drew censure from several Sikh leaders. Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, objected to the former head of a spiritual court approaching a "materialistic court". Sarna stated that this action "diminished not only the dignity of the position but also his own stature". Sarna urged Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami to address the matter promptly. He suggested that since Giani Raghbir Singh "chose to stand in the dock of a court, he should be relieved of religious duties at once and reassigned to administrative work according to service rules". Kulwant Singh Mannan, SGPC's chief secretary, also expressed deep disappointment. He highlighted that historically, no Akal Takht jathedar has sought recourse in a "materialistic court", noting that their stature is considered higher, even to the extent of rejecting summons. MSID:: 122159256 413 |
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Akal Takht committee meets Amritpal Singh's father to seek support for Panthic unity and revive Shiromani Akali Dal
1 2 Amritsar: In a move that could reshape the trajectory of Punjab's panthic politics, a committee formed by the Akal Takht to revive the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has reached out to Bapu Tarsem Singh, the father of jailed MP Amritpal Singh , in a bid to unite Sikh political voices under a common platform. The five-member panel met Tarsem Singh and his associates at their home in Jallupur Khera village, marking a significant outreach beyond the party's traditional base. Sources said the discussions centred on building a broader alliance of panthic groups and rejuvenating the SAD, whose influence has waned in recent years, among Sikh youth particularly. Even though no formal role for Amritpal Singh was disclosed, his symbolic presence loomed large over the meeting. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, a member of the committee, acknowledged Amritpal's growing appeal. "Even behind bars, he commands deep respect from Sikh youth and rural voters. His sweeping electoral win was more than personal — it was a call for principled, value-driven leadership," he said. Constituted on Dec 2, 2024, the panel had seven members originally but now includes Bibi Satwant Kaur, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, and Iqbal Singh Jhunda. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Iraq: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo In a joint statement after the meeting, the committee accused the SAD's past leadership of losing sight of its founding goals. "The party was hijacked by individuals focused on power solely, neglecting core issues like Chandigarh's status, river water disputes, and Punjabi language rights," the statement read. Tarsem Singh welcomed the outreach and said the time had come to "pull the Panth out of crisis" by consolidating panthic sentiment. Sources close to the group said aligning with Amritpal's anti-drug stance and uncompromising image was part of a broader effort to restore political credibility among Sikh voters. MSID:: 122112093 413 |
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee forms 34-member panel for Akal Takht jathedar service rules, excludes Sri Guru Singh Sabha and DSGMC
1 2 Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has constituted a 34-member committee, comprising heads of various religious organisations, Sikh scholars, intellectuals and others, to draft service rules for the jathedar of Akal Takht. However, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha, one of the oldest Sikh institutions, has objected to its exclusion, along with some other prominent Sikh bodies, from the committee's composition. An SGPC statement issued here on Thursday announced that SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had formed the committee. However, Sri Guru Singh Sabha general secretary Harmanjit Singh questioned whether the exclusion of several important Sikh institutions by the SGPC was a deliberate attempt to distance these bodies from the SGPC and Akal Takht. He said Sri Guru Singh Sabha, established in 1873 for the propagation of Sikhism and still actively contributing to the Panth, was one of the oldest Sikh organisations. "The exclusion of such prominent Sikh institutions committed to Sikh representation and dedicated to Akal Takht raises serious concerns about the intentions of the SGPC," he said. He asked Dhami to reconsider and include representatives from such prominent organisations, which, he said, would help keep the Panth united under Akal Takht. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar BOX Delhi gurdwara body slams exclusion The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Thursday took exception to being excluded from the 34-member committee constituted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to draft service rules for the jathedar of Akal Takht. In a statement issued by its president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon, DSGMC said SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami was indulging in favouritism towards the Badal family. They accused him of excluding representatives from DSGMC and the Prabandhak Committee of the Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Saheb from the 34-member panel. They said DSGMC was the second-largest panthic body after SGPC, and excluding it exposed Dhami's partiality.
