Amritsar: Giani Raghbir Singh, former Akal Takht jathedar and head granthi of the Golden Temple, has withdrawn his petition from the Punjab and Haryana high court. The petition had sought legal protection against his potential removal from the position of head granthi.In a statement, Giani Raghbir Singh said that despite unexpected incidents during his service, he consistently upheld Panthic traditions and the ‘Rehat Maryada’ (Sikh code of religious conduct). He asserted he never intended to harm Panthic institutions.He expressed gratitude to the global Sikh community for their concern following the court filing. He stated his decision to withdraw the case was made out of respect for the community’s feelings.Giani Raghbir Singh’s initial decision to file the case drew censure from several Sikh leaders. Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, objected to the former head of a spiritual court approaching a “materialistic court”. Sarna stated that this action “diminished not only the dignity of the position but also his own stature”.Sarna urged Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami to address the matter promptly. He suggested that since Giani Raghbir Singh “chose to stand in the dock of a court, he should be relieved of religious duties at once and reassigned to administrative work according to service rules”.Kulwant Singh Mannan, SGPC’s chief secretary, also expressed deep disappointment. He highlighted that historically, no Akal Takht jathedar has sought recourse in a “materialistic court”, noting that their stature is considered higher, even to the extent of rejecting summons.MSID:: 122159256 413 |
