Amritsar: Former jathedar and president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) Giani Harpreet Singh on Thursday said he welcomed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) decision to initiate defamation proceedings against him, asserting that he would present all necessary evidence in court, before the Panth, and even at the residence of the SGPC president.
The statement came after SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, addressing mediapersons following an executive committee meeting, termed the allegations levelled by Giani Harpreet Singh regarding the sale of gurdwara lands as baseless and misleading. Dhami warned that Singh must either apologise publicly or face a defamation suit.
Dhami alleged that Giani Harpreet Singh had attempted to defame the SGPC administration and mislead the Sikh sangat.
In response, Giani Harpreet Singh released a video calling Dhami a “soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal” and reiterated that he stood by his claims. He said he possessed additional documentary proof and would submit it before the court as well as during a conference to be held on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. He further stated that after the event, he and members of the sangat would visit Dhami’s residence to hand over the documents and seek answers.
He also remarked that Sikh scholars traditionally discourage jathedars from approaching courts, but said if the SGPC president proceeds legally, he would challenge the decision of his removal from office and seek clarification on the grounds and the committee report that led to his dismissal.
Giani Harpreet Singh urged the SGPC president to authorise managers of Gurdwara Bhatta Sahib, Gurdwara Amb Sahib and other gurdwaras to file defamation cases as well, stating that he intended to raise more issues concerning gurdwara land matters.
He alleged that the sale of land linked to Gurdwara Amb Sahib had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. He added that separate petitions would be filed in court by organisations and members of the Sikh sangat, seeking action against the SGPC president for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
