Giani Harpreet Singh

Giani Harpreet Singh (born May 1972) is a Sikh preacher who served as the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee-appointed acting jathedar of the Akal Takht from October 2018 to June 2023.[2][4] He has also served as the acting jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib since April 2017.[3]

Giani
Harpreet Singh
Jathedar of the Akal Takht (SGPC faction)[lower-alpha 1]
In office
22 October 2018 – 16 June 2023
(Disputed with Jagtar Singh Hawara and Dhian Singh Mand.)[2][1]
Preceded byGurbachan Singh
Succeeded byRaghbir Singh
Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (SGPC faction)[lower-alpha 2]
Assumed office
21 April 2017
(Disputed with Baljit Singh Daduwal.[1])
Preceded byGurmukh Singh (acting)[3]
Personal details
Born
Harpreet Singh

May 1972 (age 51)
Gidderbaha, Punjab, India
EducationMaster's degree (religious studies)
Alma materGuru Kashi Gurmat Institute
Punjabi University

Biography

Harpreet Singh was born in Gidderbaha in May 1972. His father was a village granthi.[4][5] After completing his schooling, he graduated from Guru Kashi Gurmat Institute where he received religious education.[5][6] In 1997 he joined the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as a "pracharak" (preacher) and was appointed as head granthi of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Muktsar in 1999.[7]

He completed a one-year diploma course in divinity from Punjabi University and also completed a master's degree in religious studies from the same university.[6] Along with Mohammad Habib he translated the Quran into the Punjabi language.[7] In April 2017 he was appointed as the acting jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, replacing Gurmukh Singh who was removed by the SGPC.[3] In October 2018 he was appointed as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht by the SGPC after the resignation of Gurbachan Singh.[2]

Harpreet Singh resigned as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht on 16 June 2023, being replaced by Raghbir Singh, the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. His resignation came after controversy was created over him attending the engagement of Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha with Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra in May 2023.[8]

Notes
  1. The Sarbat Khalsa in 2015 appointed Jagtar Singh Hawara as jathedar of Akal Takht and Dhian Singh Mand as the acting jathedar due to his imprisonment. However the SGPC refused to recognise its authority.[1]
  2. The Sarbat Khalsa in 2015 appointed Baljit Singh Daduwal as jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. However the SGPC refused to recognise its authority.[1]

References
  1. G.S. Paul (10 November 2015). "At Sarbat Khalsa, hardliners appoint Hawara Akal Takht Jathedar". Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. Surjit Singh (23 October 2018). "Giani Harpreet Singh is Akal Takht acting jathedar". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  3. Raakhi Jagga; Kamaldeep Singh Brar (22 April 2017). "Giani Gurmukh Singh removed as acting jathedar by SGPC". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  4. "Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh named Akal Takht acting jathedar". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  5. Gurpreet Singh Nibber (23 October 2018). "From granthi's son to head of highest temporal seat, Giani Harpreet Singh acting jathedar of Akal Takht". The Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  6. "Giani Harpreet Singh is acting jathedar of Akal Takht". The Times of India. 23 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  7. Archit Watts (22 October 2018). "Giani Harpreet Singh: Another Jathedar from Muktsar". The Trubune. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  8. Surjit Singh (16 June 2023). "Punjab: Giani Harpreet Singh quits as Akal Takht acting jathedar, Raghbir Singh new head". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
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