It had also constituted a seven-member committee, led by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, with Kirpal Singh Badungar, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Iqbal Singh Jhundan, Santa Singh Umaidpur and Bibi Satwant Kaur as its members, to work towards the party’s reconstitution within six months. But Dhami and Badungar had recently tendered their resignations from the committee.Speaking to , a leading expert on Sikh issues, Prof AS Gill of Delhi University, says, “The jathedars’ attempt to assert the Akal Takht’s supremacy proved fatal and it may have long-term implications for the relationship between the Akal Takht and SGPC.”An Akali Dal leader on condition of anonymity said, “With this move to remove the jathedars, the credibility of the SGPC, which was at an all-time low, has been further dented and it will also have long-term repercussions on the party.”Prominent Sikh leaders in the United States have strongly condemned the SGPC for removing Jathedars Singh and Sultan. In a joint statement, Sajjan Singh, chief of Gurdwara Santsar Sahib, and Sikh leader Narinder Singh Hundal called the decision “unwise and unacceptable” to Sikhs worldwide. They urged the SGPC to reconsider its decision.Explaining the rationale behind changing the Jathedars, Senior Vice President of SGPC Raghujit Singh Virk said the Akal Takht is the supreme authority of Miri Piri (Sikh doctrine of close relationship between religion and politics), established by Guru Hargobind, and remains the spiritual and political centre of Sikh governance. However, in the face of growing challenges, the leadership of the former Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh was deemed inadequate in guiding the Panth and addressing contemporary issues effectively.He highlighted concerns over increasing divisions within Sikh institutions, rising threats to Sikh identity worldwide and the alleged failure of the former Jathedar to take a firm stance on critical Panthic matters.”In this era of globalization, the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib must provide clear, unwavering leadership to safeguard Sikh interests. Unfortunately, Singh’s inconsistent approach has weakened Panthic unity instead of strengthening it. Given these serious shortcomings, the Executive Committee decided to retire him from the post of Jathedar of Akal Takht,” he said.Virk said that it was unanimously decided to hold the SGPC’s annual budget session on March 28.
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