New Delhi: Support for Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, regarding his stance in favor of the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, who has been dismissed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has been steadily increasing across Europe following the conclusion of Jathedar Raghbir Singh's recent tour.
Representatives from Belgium-based Gurdwaras and Sikh centers, including the Gurdwara managements of Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Truiden, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Alken, Guru Ramdas Sikh Study and Cultural Centre , Hoepertingen, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash ,Liege, Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, Gent, and Belgium's National Sikh Organizations, convened for a meeting ahead of the return of Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to India.
During the meeting, they unanimously declared their commitment to follow his guidance and support the position Giani Raghbir Singh has taken in favor of Giani Harpreet Singh. They also expressed solidarity with the penance announced for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, including SAD's former president Sukhbir Singh Badal, informed Karnail Singh former president of Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Truiden, Belgium, on Monday.
Surinder Singh, president of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Alken, alleged that the decision to dismiss the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib and former acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh was made under the influence of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership, which holds significant control over the SGPC due to its dominant representation. He added that there was widespread resentment among the Sikh sangat in Belgium, who opposed the idea of Sikh temporal seats being controlled by a management body supported by a political party.
Echoing Surinder Singh, president of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash, Liege, Gurjinderpal Singh said that SGPC couldn’t make a decision to terminate the services of a revered personality which has caused immense resentment among Sikhs living across Europe.
Giani Raghbir Singh has already raised objections to the formation of a three-member committee by SGPC which is tasked with investigating the allegations against Giani Harpreet Singh. Giani Harpreet Singh's dismissal was done on the basis of the report of the three-member committee. He emphasized that if there were any issues, it was the responsibility of the Jathedars to address them, rather than the SGPC.
Notably, on December 2, 2024 the five Sikh high priests directed SAD leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, to undergo religious punishment after they accepted their ‘sins and mistakes’ before Akal Takht. The directive also included the reorganization of SAD.
Karnail Singh expressed the view that since Badal and other SAD leaders have acknowledged their 'sins and mistakes, before Akal Takht, then they should not be subject to lenient religious punishments. Instead, he argued, they should be excommunicated from the Khalsa Panth, and legal action should be taken by filing police cases against them to ensure they are held accountable under the law.
He further said that a movement has begun in Belgium in support of the Jathedars and against the Badals who, he alleged, are responsible for using religious institutions for their political motives. He asserted that this movement would spread across Europe and other parts of the world until Sikh religious institutions were freed from political influence or pressure.
The Sikh leaders including Upinder Singh Jaswal, president Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, Harmeet Singh, president Belgium National Sikh Organizations, and others also met Giani Raghbir Singh during his recent Europe visit.