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Will seek community’s consensus on withdrawing Rajoana’s mercy plea: SGPC

Balwant Singh Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role as a backup bomber in the suicide attack in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995, that killed former CM Beant Singh and 16 others.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami during a meeting in Amritsar on Monday. (HT Photo)

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Published on May 06, 2025 08:32 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

Will come up with new policy for films on Sikh figures, says Akal Takht jathedar

Addressing a special gathering held on Friday at Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gargaj said that keeping in mind the earlier decisions made by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in 1934, 1940, 2003, 2015, and 2022 regarding films and visuals, a basic policy framework was discussed.

Akal Takht acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj

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Published on May 03, 2025 09:22 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

Direct Centre to decide on Rajoana’s mercy plea, SGPC urges top court

On March 21, 2025, the Centre officially turned down the request of the Akal Takht-constituted five-member panel for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the cases of Rajoana and other Sikh prisoners

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Published on Apr 17, 2025 09:30 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Punjab: Bains must support resolution of Sikh issues, says jathedar

The statement cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains made in the assembly pertained to an internal Sikh matter that would be decided by the ‘Khalsa Panth’ itself and not the House, says Akal Takht’s officiating jathedar

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Published on Apr 14, 2025 07:58 AM IST

ByPress Trust of India, Amritsar

Over 1,900 pilgrims granted visas by Pakistan for Baisakhi

SGPC secretary Partap Singh said like in the past, the jatha, after attending the main congregation at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Pakistan, will visit other prominent gurdwaras. The jatha will return to India on April 19.

Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal (AFP file Photo)

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Published on Apr 08, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

SGPC general house: Opposition resolution on removal of jathedars stalled

The session, conducted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, started amid high-security arrangements made by the SGPC and Punjab Police at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, the headquarters of the gurdwara body in Golden Temple complex amid a call by opposition members to present a resolution against the removal of jathedars.

The budget session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday

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Published on Mar 29, 2025 09:58 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC clears ₹1,386-cr budget, focus on new sarais, preaching

Dhami added that special funds have been arranged for the general board fund, trust fund, education, sports and printing presses

SGPC general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala delivered the budget speech. (HT Photo)

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Published on Mar 29, 2025 09:48 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

Amritsar protest today as Damdami Taksal ups ante against SGPC

The Sikh seminary, once headed by slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, is all set to hold a protest outside the SGPC head office in the Golden Temple complex during its budget session on Friday (March 28).

Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma

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Published on Mar 28, 2025 09:50 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Probe report against Giani Harpreet flawed, baseless: PHRO

Giani Harpreet Singh was sacked by the SGPC executive on February 10, nearly nine weeks after pronouncement of December 2 Akal Takht ‘hukamnama’ (Sikh decree)

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Published on Mar 27, 2025 07:58 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC rejects Dhami’s resignation, appeals him to reconsider decision

The executive body of the SGPC held meeting in Chandigarh led by senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk. So far, Dhami has not accepted the appeal, as he would take any decision reportedly after talking to the party high command.

The executive body of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) held on Monday rejected the resignation tendered by committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami on February 17. The committee appealed to Dhami to resume charge and met him at his residence in Hoshiarpur. (HT File)

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Published on Mar 18, 2025 09:14 AM IST

ByGurpreet Singh Nibber, Harpreet Kaur, Chandigarh/ Hoshiarpur

Executive committee rejects Harjinder Singh Dhami's resignation as SGPC chief

india news

Published on Mar 17, 2025 07:14 PM IST

PTI |

Mumbai gurdwara body opposes jathedars’ removal

On March 7, the SGPC terminated the services of Giani Raghbir Singh as jathedar of Akal Takht and Giani Sultan Singh as jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib nearly four weeks after removing Giani Harpreet Singh as jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.

Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was recently appointed as jathedar.

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Published on Mar 17, 2025 08:38 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

I am not SAD’s rep... Panth is supreme, says Giani Gargaj

Acting jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Wednesday said he does not represent the Akali Dal but is committed to serving the entire Sikh Panth (community)

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Published on Mar 13, 2025 06:10 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent

Guest Column| Time for reforms in Sikh institutional governance

Real change will require concrete steps — holding SGPC elections, restoring voting rights to disenfranchised Sikhs, and instituting a transparent process for the appointment of jathedars. The ball is now in the court of the Sikh leadership. Whether they choose to engage in constructive dialogue or allow divisions to fester will determine the future of Sikh institutions and their ability to uphold the dignity of Akal Takht and the Panthic leadership.

Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj at Akal Takht in Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

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Published on Mar 12, 2025 05:37 PM IST

ByKBS Sidhu

Giani Raghbir alleges ‘violation’ of maryada during installation of new jathedar

Giani Ragbir Singh criticized the hasty appointment of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as jathedar, citing violations of Sikh traditions and calling for protests.

Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj during a ceremony at Akal Takht Sahib. (PTI File)

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Published on Mar 12, 2025 09:12 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Row over jathedars' removal: SAD warns party leaders against breaching discipline

india news

Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:24 PM IST

PTI |

Giani Kuldeep Singh’s installation tomorrow

“The ceremony will be held in presence of the Sikh seminaries, sects, nihang organisations and others. Invitation has been sent to all,” said an SGPC spokesperson.

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Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:28 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

Rift in Akali Dal over removal of jathedars

Majithia opposes the move of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Akali Dal accuses him of backstabbing Sukhbir; Bhundar retracts statement

Bikram Singh Majithia and other leaders expressed their dissent regarding the SGPC action. (Sourced)

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Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:18 AM IST

ByVishal Rambani, Chandigarh:

Removal of jathedars seems act of vengeance: Punjab CM Mann

SGPC removed Giani Raghbir Singh from post of Akal Takht jathedar and Giani Sultan Singh as Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedar on Friday and appointed Sikh scholar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the new jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. He would also serve as the acting jathedar of Akal Takht, until an appointment is made.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann at an event in Chandigarh to flag off a batch of school principals for training in Singapore on Saturday. (PTI Photo)

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Published on Mar 08, 2025 03:02 PM IST

ByPress Trust of India

Ahead of SGPC panel meet, Dhami says won’t withdraw his resignation

A day before the crucial meeting of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive committee, Harjinder Singh Dhami on Thursday called on Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh at his residence at the Golden Temple complex and asserted that he would not withdraw his resignation from the top post of the gurdwara body

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Published on Mar 07, 2025 07:38 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent

Multi-storey building coming up near Golden Temple triggers row

The building, which is being built by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), appears to be higher than Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat.

The under-construction building is taller than Akal Takht and is spoiling the ambience of the Golden Temple, say Sikh groups. (HT Photo)

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Published on Mar 04, 2025 08:44 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC, Akal Takht condemn attack on Sikh businessman, brother in Rishikesh

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal termed the incident disturbing, while Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also condemned the incident.

A video grab of the mob assaulting the Sikh businessman and vandalising his showroom in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh on Sunday.

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Updated on Mar 03, 2025 03:04 PM IST

ByPress Trust of India

SC refuses to hear SGPC plea against dera chief’s temporary release

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee moved the apex court challenging repeated paroles and furloughs being granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Haryana government.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear a plea of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) against the temporary release of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. (HT file photo)

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Updated on Feb 28, 2025 05:11 PM IST

ByPress Trust of India

SGPC releases ₹13 lakh to fund Sikligar & Vanjara Sikh kids’ education

Sikligar and Vanjara Sikhs are considered subgroups within the Sikh community, primarily living in central and south India, often considered marginalised due to their historical occupation as itinerant traders and metalworkers.

SGPC members Rajinder Singh Mehta, Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Dharam Parchar Committee member Sukhwarsh Singh Pannu and Dharam Parchar secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan personally handed over the amount to school principals. (Sourced)

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Published on Feb 27, 2025 07:26 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

Takht jathedar-SGPC tussle: 1999 resolution surfaces, adds new twist to row

The ongoing controversy over questioning of authority of the Akal Takht jathedar by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has intensified following the resurfacing of a 1999 resolution

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Published on Feb 26, 2025 08:40 AM IST

BySurjit Singh

Takht jathedar hits back, flays SGPC for questioning his authority

“The SGPC office-bearers during a press conference and at the meeting at my residence told me that I should not have shared a post on Facebook. Through that post, I only shared my feelings in support of Giani Harpreet Singh. I only shared what was going on in my mind over this issue. I did not issue any directive to the SGPC,” Takht jathedar said.

A day after Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said that it was the appointing authority of the jathedars, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Saturday hit back and said, “Earlier, I believed that hukam (decree) of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is implemented universally, but I came to know it yesterday that I was wrong and this hukam is only implemented within the boundary of Akal Takht Sahib premises.” (HT File)

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Published on Feb 23, 2025 05:06 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC executive committee asks Dhami to reconsider his resignation

The meeting, chaired by senior vice president Raghujit Singh Virk, was called to decide on the resignation tendered by Dhami as president on February 17

Sameer Sehgal/HTSGPC general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala addressing a press conference in Amritsar on Friday.

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Published on Feb 22, 2025 03:10 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Dhami turns down SAD’s request to withdraw resignation

A special meeting of the executive committee of SGPC has been called on February 21 to take call on Dhami’s resignation.

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Published on Feb 20, 2025 08:36 AM IST

ByHarpreet Kaur, Hoshiarpur

Sikh deportees ‘sans’ turbans sparks row

The statement from the top Sikh body came after visuals showed Sikh deportees without turbans while completing immigration formalities.

Indians deported from the US being escorted by the police as they leave the airport upon their arrival, in Amritsar, early Sunday. (PTI)

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Updated on Feb 17, 2025 10:48 AM IST

ByHT Correspondent, Amritsar

‘Unfortunate’: Akal Takht jathedar on sacking of Giani Harpreet Singh

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh condemned the SGPC's removal of Giani Harpreet Singh, calling it harmful to Sikh temporal seats' independence.

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Thursday broke his silence on the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh as the jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, saying the decision will harm the independent status of Sikh temporal seats. (HT File)

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Published on Feb 14, 2025 08:02 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

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Latest from sgpc

Balwant Singh Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role as a backup bomber in the suicide attack in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995, that killed former CM Beant Singh and 16 others.

Addressing a special gathering held on Friday at Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gargaj said that keeping in mind the earlier decisions made by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in 1934, 1940, 2003, 2015, and 2022 regarding films and visuals, a basic policy framework was discussed.

On March 21, 2025, the Centre officially turned down the request of the Akal Takht-constituted five-member panel for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the cases of Rajoana and other Sikh prisoners

The statement cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains made in the assembly pertained to an internal Sikh matter that would be decided by the ‘Khalsa Panth’ itself and not the House, says Akal Takht’s officiating jathedar

SGPC secretary Partap Singh said like in the past, the jatha, after attending the main congregation at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Pakistan, will visit other prominent gurdwaras. The jatha will return to India on April 19.

Dhami added that special funds have been arranged for the general board fund, trust fund, education, sports and printing presses

The Sikh seminary, once headed by slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, is all set to hold a protest outside the SGPC head office in the Golden Temple complex during its budget session on Friday (March 28).

Giani Harpreet Singh was sacked by the SGPC executive on February 10, nearly nine weeks after pronouncement of December 2 Akal Takht ‘hukamnama’ (Sikh decree)

The executive body of the SGPC held meeting in Chandigarh led by senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk. So far, Dhami has not accepted the appeal, as he would take any decision reportedly after talking to the party high command.

Executive committee rejects Harjinder Singh Dhami's resignation as SGPC chief

On March 7, the SGPC terminated the services of Giani Raghbir Singh as jathedar of Akal Takht and Giani Sultan Singh as jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib nearly four weeks after removing Giani Harpreet Singh as jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.

Acting jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Wednesday said he does not represent the Akali Dal but is committed to serving the entire Sikh Panth (community)

Giani Ragbir Singh criticized the hasty appointment of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as jathedar, citing violations of Sikh traditions and calling for protests.

Row over jathedars' removal: SAD warns party leaders against breaching discipline

“The ceremony will be held in presence of the Sikh seminaries, sects, nihang organisations and others. Invitation has been sent to all,” said an SGPC spokesperson.

Majithia opposes the move of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Akali Dal accuses him of backstabbing Sukhbir; Bhundar retracts statement

The building, which is being built by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), appears to be higher than Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal termed the incident disturbing, while Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also condemned the incident.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee moved the apex court challenging repeated paroles and furloughs being granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Haryana government.

Sikligar and Vanjara Sikhs are considered subgroups within the Sikh community, primarily living in central and south India, often considered marginalised due to their historical occupation as itinerant traders and metalworkers.

The ongoing controversy over questioning of authority of the Akal Takht jathedar by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has intensified following the resurfacing of a 1999 resolution

The meeting, chaired by senior vice president Raghujit Singh Virk, was called to decide on the resignation tendered by Dhami as president on February 17

A special meeting of the executive committee of SGPC has been called on February 21 to take call on Dhami’s resignation.

The statement from the top Sikh body came after visuals showed Sikh deportees without turbans while completing immigration formalities.

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh condemned the SGPC's removal of Giani Harpreet Singh, calling it harmful to Sikh temporal seats' independence.

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