Chandigarh: After the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee removed Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Sri Damdama Sahib, an inquiry report came out highlighting a number of allegations against him. According to the report, Giani Harpreet Singh was called in to present his defense, which he refused to do. The inquiry committee also raised the issue of personal matters of Former Jathedar Harpreet Singh and a list of several other charges against him.
A day prior, Giani Harpreet Singh had clarified that it was inappropriate for him to appear before the committee while serving as Jathedar. He had alleged that ever since the December 2 decision, the plan to remove him had been premeditated. However, the inquiry committee’s report accused him of multiple violations, including halting kirtan (hymn singing) for 15 minutes to clarify his position, attending the engagement of AAP MP Raghav Chadha and actress Parineeti Chopra, and participating in the wedding of former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s son. The committee claimed that such actions hurt Sikh sentiments.
Virsa Singh Valtoha had earlier leveled accusations against Giani Harpreet Singh, some of which were validated by the committee. One of the charges was that he conducted an ‘Ardas’ (prayer) at the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding) of former CM Channi’s son, who is considered a ‘patit’ Sikh (one who has deviated from Sikh tenets).
A related serious accusation against him was attendance at the Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra marriage function. The article reported that vehicles of political persons were allowed in the premises while Giani Harpreet Singh’s vehicle was checked for security, forcing him to walk into the hall. His conversation with film heroines at the same event was improper for the prestigious office of a Jathedar as they eroded Sikh sensibilities.
The committee spoke to the ‘Panj Pyare’ who reported that on December 18, Giani Harpreet Singh stopped kirtan at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib for 15 minutes and gave a personal explanation. This was considered a religious faux pas.
The committee had tried to meet Giani Harpreet Singh for a discussion, sending him multiple messages, including WhatsApp. He refused to engage with them.
SGPC Meeting Formalizes Decision
On Monday, the executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee sat in Amritsar under SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. He presented the report of the inquiry committee on Giani Harpreet Singh there. Some alleged that the move was brought to the agenda from backdoor after three members at the meeting opined against moving the resolution to terminate Giani Harpreet Singh’s services. All the 13 members present did not oppose moving the resolution: it was merely a majority consensus that sealed his fate.