Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib—one of the five temporal seats of Sikhism—has resigned. In a video message released on Wednesday evening, he announced his decision, citing threats made against his family. He accused Virsa Singh Valtoha of issuing these threats and criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) social media wing for supporting Valtoha. He also questioned the silence of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) throughout the episode.
The resignation comes a day after former SAD spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha appeared before the Akal Takht. Valtoha had been summoned for claiming that the Jathedars were acting under pressure from the BJP, RSS, and Sikhs living abroad in the matter of Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was declared tankhaiya by the Akal Takht. Valtoha failed to provide evidence to support his claim, and the Akal Takht directed the SAD to expel him for 10 years. Valtoha resigned from the party, and his resignation was accepted by SAD.
In his message, Giani Harpreet Singh said, “Both the central and Punjab governments should take back the vehicle and security provided to me, as I will now live as a humble Sikh and cannot afford such security.”
Giani Harpreet Singh had also served as acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht from October 2018 to June 2023. He resigned from that position following controversy over his presence at the engagement ceremony of AAP leader Raghav Chadha and actress Parineeti Chopra. However, he had served as the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib since April 2017.
Notably, Giani Harpreet Singh attended Tuesday’s meeting at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. After the decision against him, Valtoha alleged that Giani Harpreet Singh had hijacked the meeting of the Jathedars and was the main force behind the decision.
In his video message, Giani Harpreet Singh appeared emotional, stating that Valtoha had continuously attacked his character, especially targeting him both before and after the expulsion decision.
“Valtoha has crossed all limits of decency by sending messages threatening to expose my family, with derogatory comments even being made about my daughters, which is intolerable,” Giani Harpreet Singh said. “I am not afraid of Valtoha, but deeply hurt that the social media wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal and certain low-ranking Akali leaders, who have little knowledge of Panthic traditions, are backing Valtoha’s actions. This is very painful.”
Addressing the SGPC as “my institution,” Giani Harpreet Singh expressed regret over its silence on the matter, saying that under these circumstances, he could no longer serve as Jathedar. “I am a Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, but also a father to my daughters. I am sending my resignation to the president of the SGPC, asking for it to be accepted.”
He further accused Valtoha of making caste-based remarks and sending vile messages, saying, “I never expected Valtoha to stoop so low.”
On the allegations linking him to the RSS, Giani Harpreet Singh said that Valtoha, having failed in his attempt to defame him with baseless claims of being an “RSS agent,” had resorted to dirty tactics.
Thanking the SGPC, Giani Harpreet Singh said that the committee had educated him, made him the head granthi of Muktsar Sahib, and later appointed him as acting president of the Akal Takht.
He concluded his message by asking for forgiveness for any mistakes he might have made and emphasised that the SGPC remains his institution, and he will always remain loyal to it.
Reacting to his resignation, Gurpartap Wadala, convenor of Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, patron of Sudhar Lehar, said, “We appeal to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami not to accept Jathedar Sahib’s resignation. I want to tell Jathedar Sahib that the entire Sikh community is with him.” Dhindsa added, “I appeal to the entire leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal to refrain from making decisions or taking actions that could harm the sovereignty of our Takhts.”
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, in his own video message, said, “I order SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami not to accept the resignation of Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh. At the same time, I appeal to Giani Harpreet Singh to reconsider his decision. If his resignation is accepted, we—the Jathedars of all the Takhts—will also resign. This is the first time in history that a Jathedar of a Takht is being subjected to character assassination, with his family and daughters being targeted. The one who targets someone’s daughters cannot be called a Sikh, but Valtoha has done this and even posted content on social media targeting Giani Harpreet Singh.”
Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh also appealed to SGPC president Dhami not to accept the resignation, stating, “This is not the time to resign but to engage in dharam yudh. The Sikh community needs Jathedars Raghbir Singh and Harpreet Singh. Sukhbir Singh Badal and his team have defamed history, and Valtoha is just a tool being used by them.