Giani Harpreet Singh Explained

Harpreet Singh
Honorific Prefix:Giani
Office:Jathedar of the Akal Takht (SGPC faction)
Term Start:22 October 2018
Term End:16 June 2023
(Disputed with Jagtar Singh Hawara and Dhian Singh Mand.)[1]
Successor:Raghbir Singh
Office1:Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (SGPC faction)
Term Start1:21 April 2017
(Disputed with Baljit Singh Daduwal.)
Predecessor1:Gurmukh Singh (acting)[2]
Birth Name:Harpreet Singh
Education:Master's degree (religious studies)
Alma Mater:Guru Kashi Gurmat Institute
Punjabi University

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.[1] [3] He has also served as the acting jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib since April 2017.[2]

Biography

Harpreet Singh was born in Gidderbaha in May 1972. His father was a village granthi.[3] [4] After completing his schooling, he graduated from Guru Kashi Gurmat Institute where he received religious education.[4] [5] 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.[6]

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.[5] Along with Mohammad Habib he translated the Quran into the Punjabi language.[6] In April 2017 he was appointed as the acting jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, replacing Gurmukh Singh who was removed by the SGPC.[2] In October 2018 he was appointed as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht by the SGPC after the resignation of Gurbachan Singh.[1]

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.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Giani Harpreet Singh is Akal Takht acting jathedar. Surjit Singh. Hindustan Times. 23 October 2018. 4 February 2023. 13 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213022133/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/giani-harpreet-singh-appointed-acting-jathedar-of-akal-takht/story-SkMVpfzBo7Mj7Ts3W2MC1N.html. live.
  2. Web site: Giani Gurmukh Singh removed as acting jathedar by SGPC. Raakhi Jagga. Kamaldeep Singh Brar. The Indian Express. 22 April 2017. 10 February 2023. 10 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230210030328/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/giani-gurmukh-singh-removed-as-acting-jathedar-by-sgpc-4623152/. live.
  3. Web site: Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh named Akal Takht acting jathedar . The Tribune . 10 February 2023 . 13 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213023646/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/news-detail-671954 . live .
  4. Web site: From granthi's son to head of highest temporal seat, Giani Harpreet Singh acting jathedar of Akal Takht. Gurpreet Singh Nibber. The Hindustan Times. 23 October 2018. 10 February 2023. 13 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213022136/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/from-granthi-s-son-to-head-of-highest-temporal-seat-giani-harpreet-singh-acting-jathedar-of-akal-takht/story-fwb1cHprOgVtOeWUJ1hP9J.html. live.
  5. Web site: Giani Harpreet Singh is acting jathedar of Akal Takht. The Times of India. 23 October 2018. 10 February 2023. 26 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181026211247/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/amritsar/sgpc-appoints-giani-harpreet-as-acting-jathedar-of-akal-takht/articleshow/66324090.cms. live.
  6. Web site: Giani Harpreet Singh: Another Jathedar from Muktsar. Archit Watts. The Trubune. 22 October 2018. 10 February 2023. 13 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213022133/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/giani-harpreet-singh-another-jathedar-from-muktsar-671963. live.
  7. Web site: Punjab: Giani Harpreet Singh quits as Akal Takht acting jathedar, Raghbir Singh new head. Surjit Singh. Hindustan Times. 16 June 2023. 16 June 2023.