AMRITSAR – The issue of sacking Takht Jathedars has again emerged with the SGPC’s decision to schedule an executive meeting on February 15 in Amritsar.
Refusing to divulge more details, SGPC’s additional secretary and spokesperson DS Bedi said only routine items had been listed on agenda.
However, an insider said a granthi (priest) of the Golden Temple, Giani Jagtar Singh, was being considered as a replacement to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Earlier, there were reports that certain Sikh intellectuals were being considered to appoint as “acting Jathedars” of the three Takhts as a stopgap arrangement. These included former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Bhadungar, Punjabi University VC Jaspal Singh and SGPC secretary Roop Singh.
The heads of three Takhts, Akal Takht, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, come under the purview of the SGPC. The remaining two Takhts, Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib and Takht Sri Patna Sahib, are managed by independent boards.
Sources said in view of the crisis triggered by the controversial pardon to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, the SAD too had been pressing the SGPC to remove the jathedars. The SGPC is still working on it and a decision could be taken anytime ahead of Baisakhi in April, they said.
