Sarna Slams Move, Says Sacred Religious Positions Should Not Be Dragged into Secular Disputes
Amritsar June 29, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) Giani Raghbir Singh, the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, had filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Filed on June 26 through his counsel, the petition alleges that the SGPC is preparing to remove him from the post of Head Granthi, prompting him to seek legal protection and justice through the court.
In his petition, Giani Raghbir Singh has requested that the court restrain the SGPC from taking any action to remove him and declare any such potential move unconstitutional, especially if done without proper cause or prior notice. He further submitted that the SGPC had recently denied him permission for a planned foreign trip, resulting in substantial financial loss. High court has issued a notice in this regard and fixed next date of hearing on July 1.
Tensions Rise After Removal from Akal Takht
It may be recalled that Giani Raghbir Singh was earlier removed from the position of Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on March 6, 2025, along with Giani Sultan Singh, who was Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. The SGPC cited weak leadership and failure to uphold Panthic unity as the reasons behind their removal. In their place, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj was appointed as officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib as well as Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
Now, Giani Raghbir Singh’s legal challenge regarding the Head Granthi post of Sri Harmandir Sahib could spark a fresh conflict between SGPC and Sikh religious leadership.
Sarna: Sacred Religious Offices Must Not Be Taken to Court
President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi, Sardar Paramjit Singh Sarna, strongly condemned Giani Raghbir Singh’s decision to move court. Calling it a serious violation of religious decorum, Sarna said: “A person holding such a sacred religious office must have full understanding of Sikh religious discipline and historical responsibility. By approaching a worldly court, Giani Raghbir Singh has not only dragged the revered position of Head Granthi into controversy, but also tarnished the dignity of the role he occupies.”
Sarna further reminded the public that legendary Sikh figures like Baba Buddha Sahib and Bhai Mani Singh Ji once held this same post.“To pull such revered traditions and institutions into worldly legal disputes is unfortunate and deeply condemnable,” he added.
He appealed to SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami to take immediate cognizance of the matter and take appropriate steps to resolve this sensitive issue in a Panthic manner.
SGPC Maintains Silence as Controversy Peaks
As of now, the SGPC has not released any official statement on the matter. However, sources indicate that the SGPC believes religious offices governed by Sikh tenets and traditions must not be subjected to the court interference, as this could undermine the Panthic system of internal governance.
The controversy has now grown beyond an internal administrative matter and has raised larger questions about Panthic decorum, the sanctity of religious offices, and the intersection of secular law and religious authority.
Meanwhile, various Sikh scholars and political observers have criticized Giani Raghbir Singh’s move, terming it a departure from Sikh tradition and an act that compromises the spiritual dignity of a post associated with some of Sikhism’s greatest martyrs and saints.
