Damdama Sahib Jathedar resigns and accuses Valtoha of harassment

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh today resigned and accused former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha of threatening him and trying to tarnish his image.

His resignation comes a day after a panel of five chief priests, of which he was a part, recommended “the expulsion” of Valtoha from the SAD, while finding him guilty of “damaging the credibility” of Takht jathedars. In his statement, Valtoha directly targeted Giani Harpreet Singh for his “complicity with the BJP and the RSS”.

Argument over meeting with Shah

Receives the support of Akal Takht

• Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has instructed SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami not to accept the resignation of Giani Harpreet Singh, saying the development would force all jathedars to quit
• He said, “The Jathedar has resigned after derogatory comments were made against him and his family members. I urge him to reconsider his decision.”
• “If the SGPC accepts his resignation, all jathedars including myself will resign,” he said.

SAD accepts Valtoha’s resignation

• Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Valtoha as the party’s primary member for 10 years

Giani Harpreet Singh, who earlier served as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, said he had submitted his resignation to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. “I have urged Dhami to accept my resignation as under such pressure I could no longer shoulder the responsibility of this coveted post,” he said.

Giani Harpreet Singh also informed the Center and the Punjab government that his security and benefits should be withdrawn. “I will live the life of a ‘humble Sikh’. I have no means to pay for security. I have requested both governments to withdraw my security and vehicles,” he said.

He said he was pained that both the SAD and SGPC had protected Valtoha. “At first he slandered my image. Now he is targeting my relatives. I receive threats that my family members would be publicly ‘abused’. I have two daughters. The mental agony I have gone through is beyond all limits,” he claimed.

He alleged that the threat messages were sent at the behest of the SAD’s social media wing. “I found out that some SAD leaders were behind this. It pains me deeply that even the SGPC is silent on this issue,” he said.

Refuting the allegations, Valtoha said Giani Harpreet Singh had become the target of a well-oiled conspiracy by the Delhi government. “He is making baseless accusations. If he has proof, he can take action against me. I can never think of attacking someone’s family,” he said.

Dhami said he had assured the Jathedar that the SGPC would always support and stand by the cause and dignity of the Takht Singh Saheb and abide by their directions. “I also appeal to Giani Harpreet Singh and other jathedars to avoid division,” he said.