Gyani Harpreet Singh announced his resignation from the post of Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib on wednesday (16 October). He took this step by making several serious allegations against former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha. This incident has come to light a day after Akal Takht's Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh issued instructions to expel Valtoha from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Gyani Raghubir Singh had found Virsa Singh Valtoha 'guilty of character assassination' of Sikh religious leaders. After this instruction, Valtoha resigned from SAD on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Akal Takht's Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh came out in support of Giani Harpreet Singh and issued a directive to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) not to accept his resignation. He also threatened that he would also resign from his post.
Takht Damdama Sahib is one of the five Takhts of the Sikhs and is located in Talwandi Sabo in bathinda district. In a video message on wednesday, Sikh scholar Giani Harpreet Singh accused Valtoha of constantly indulging in his 'character assassination' and targeting him. Giani Harpreet Singh said, "I want to inform the Sikh community that Akal Takht has yesterday given a verdict against Virsa Singh Valtoha, who has been constantly indulging in character assassination of Sikh religious leaders." Giani Harpreet Singh made serious allegations against Valtoha
He said, "Even after this, he is doing character assassination every hour. He is especially targeting me. Now he has crossed all limits. Now he has also targeted our family. This cannot be tolerated. At the same time, the social media of SAD is supporting Valtoha's claims. I am not afraid of Valtoha."
He also said that "SGPC is maintaining silence in this matter. In such a situation, he cannot play his role as Jathedar. While I am a Jathedar, I am also a father of daughters. Therefore, I am sending my resignation to the SGPC chief." Just a few hours after Giani Harpreet Singh's resignation, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh alleged that Valtoha is continuously targeting Sikh religious leaders on social media. He instructed the SGPC president not to accept Giani Harpreet Singh's resignation.