SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami Stands Firm on Resignation

• Mar 7, 2025

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami reaffirmed on Thursday that he will not withdraw his resignation.

"I have submitted my resignation and will not take it back," Dhami stated after meeting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, a day before the SGPC’s executive body meeting.

When asked about the possibility of the executive body urging him to reconsider, he responded, "It will be the prerogative of the executive body."

Background of Dhami’s Resignation

On February 17, Dhami, a four-time SGPC president, offered to resign on moral grounds following a statement by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. The Jathedar had criticized the manner in which Giani Harpreet Singh was removed by the SGPC, accusing him of "moral misconduct."

Dhami also resigned from the seven-member committee appointed by the Akal Takht Jathedar to oversee the membership drive of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

SGPC Executive Meeting to Decide on Resignation

The SGPC has scheduled its executive body meeting for tomorrow to deliberate on Dhami’s resignation and to finalize the date for presenting the annual budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

Previously, Giani Raghbir Singh met Dhami at his residence in Hoshiarpur to persuade him to reconsider his decision. However, Dhami remained resolute.

During the last SGPC executive meeting on February 21, the committee deferred the decision on his resignation, instead opting to approach him personally. A five-member panel was constituted to convince him to continue, but their meeting with Dhami remained inconclusive.

The panel included:

• Baldev Singh (SGPC Junior Vice-President)
• Harjinder Kaur (Executive Member)
• Surjit Singh Tugalwala (Executive Member)
• Baldev Singh Kayampuri (Executive Member)
• Sukhharpreet Singh Rode (Executive Member)

Who Will Lead the SGPC if Dhami Steps Down?

With the SGPC’s annual budget presentation expected in late March, the executive body must either accept or reject Dhami’s resignation. If accepted, Senior Vice-President Raghujit Singh Virk will assume the role of acting president.

An SGPC official, speaking anonymously, stated that if a new president were to be chosen, a General House meeting would have to be convened to approve the nomination.

"The budget is presented by the secretary general, but it must be endorsed by the SGPC president or acting president," the official explained.

Rebel SAD Leaders Consider Adding a Suffix to Party Name

Meanwhile, to counter claims by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership regarding legal challenges in conducting a parallel membership drive, the Akal Takht-appointed five-member panel is considering adding a suffix to the party’s name.

A rebel SAD leader revealed that several name variations were being discussed.

The Akal Takht-backed new membership drive is set to begin on March 18, following an ‘ardas’ ceremony at the Takht.