European Sikhs rally for justice, supporting Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh’s stance on Giani Harpreet Singh’s dismissal by SGPC

AMRITSAR: Sikhs across Europe have come together to show their support for Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, in his stance backing Giani Harpreet Singh, the former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, who was dismissed by the Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
In a show of solidarity, the management of various Gurdwaras and Sikh institutions in Belgium held a meeting to express their commitment to the position taken by Giani Raghbir Singh. They also voiced their objections against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing the party of being allegedly involved in the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh.
Representatives of Gurdwara management bodies and Sikh institutions, including National Sikh Organizations, Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, Gent, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash, Liege, Guru Ramdas Sikh Study and Cultural Centre, Hoepertingen, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Alken, and Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Truiden, held a meeting to contemplate the role of SAD and SGPC in taking decisions in the matter of Sikhs’ revered Takhts, informed Karnail Singh, former President of Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Truiden, Belgium, on Monday.
“Anything happening to our most respected Takhts immensely affects our life here since we seek religious and spiritual guidance from our Takhts. How could we tolerate a Jathedar being removed in such an unceremonious way?” said Karnail Singh, adding that Giani Raghbir Singh took a stand in support of Giani Harpreet Singh, and they support his stance.
Recently, Giani Raghbir Singh apprehended that an atmosphere is being created against Jathedar’s post-December 2, 2024, directives and raised objections to the procedure used to remove Giani Harpreet Singh by the executive committee of SGPC.
Karnail Singh expressed that, since Badal and other SAD leaders confessed to their 'sins and mistakes' before Akal Takht, they should not be subjected to mild religious penalties.
He said that they should be excommunicated from the Khalsa Panth, and legal action must be pursued through police cases to ensure they face the consequences under the law.
He further said that Belgium-based Sikh leaders, including Upinder Singh Jaswal, President of Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, Harmeet Singh, President of Belgium National Sikh Organizations, Surinder Singh, President of Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Alken, along with other prominent figures, also met with Giani Raghbir Singh in the recent past when he was on a visit to Europe.
"A movement has begun in Belgium, and it will spread across Europe and other parts of the world to restore the dignity of the revered Takht and free it from the control of a political party. Soon, similar meetings will be held in Holland, Germany, and other countries," said Karnail Singh.