SGPC budget session tomorrow, likely to face disruption over Jathedar reinstatement demand

Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is set to hold its budget session for the financial year 2025-26 on March 28 at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex.

However, the session is expected to be challenging for SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami due to demands for the reinstatement of the removed Jathedars of the Takhts.

The SGPC is likely to propose a budget with a 10% increase, but opposition members within the committee, particularly those not aligned with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), plan to raise the issue of the Jathedars’ reinstatement, which could disrupt proceedings.

A memorandum supporting this demand, signed by around 42 members, was submitted to the SGPC secretary on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Damdami Taksal, along with other Sikh organisations, has announced a protest near the SGPC office on Thursday.

The protest, declared by Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa at a Sikh organisations’ meeting in Anandpur Sahib, is set to begin with a march from the Golden Gate to the Darbar Sahib campus.

Large hoardings have also been put up on the road leading to Sri Darbar Sahib in support of the demand.

Khalsa has assured that the march will be peaceful, with participants chanting Satnam Waheguru as they reach the SGPC office. In light of potential tensions, police officials have held discussions with SGPC authorities to assess the situation.