Of 146 polled votes, Harjinder Singh Dhami secure 104 votes, Bibi Jagir Kaur 42
Baldev Singh Qaimpur appointed as senior vice-president, Avtar Singh Ria as junior vice president and Bhai Gurcharan Singh as general secretary
Amritsar, November 9:
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has been again elected as President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) during the annual general house session of the Sikh body, held here in Amritsar for the election of its office-bearers.
In the contest for the prestigious post of SGPC President, Harjinder Singh Dhami of Shiromani Akali Dal defeated his opponent Bibi Jagir Kaur, an independent Akali leader with a big margin. Advocate Dhami has been elected as SGPC President for the second consecutive time.
In the general house session held in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in Amritsar, SGPC member Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke presented the name of Harjinder Singh Dhami as candidate for President, SGPC, which was seconded by Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka and further seconded by Navtej Singh Kauni. Meanwhile, SGPC member in opposition Amrik Singh Shahpur presented the name of Bibi Jagir Kaur as candidate for President, SGPC, seconded by Mithu Singh Kahneke and further seconded by Jaswant Singh Pudain.
After the voting, Harjinder Singh Dhami won the election, securing 104 votes against 42 of Bibi Jagir Kaur, out of the total 146 votes polled by SGPC members.
In this general session, Baldev Singh Qaimpur from Yamunanagar, Haryana, was appointed as senior vice president, Avtar Singh Ria as junior vice president while Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal as general secretary.
Eleven members were taken in as part of SGPC’s executive committee including Mohan Singh Bangi, Jarnail Singh Kartarpur, Surjit Singh Tughalwal, Bawa Singh Gumanpura, Bibi Gurinder Kaur Bholuwal, Gurnam Singh Jassal, Paramjit Singh Khalsa, Sher Singh Mandwala, Baba Gurpreet Singh Randhawa, Bhupinder Singh Assandh and Malkit Singh Changal.
Addressing the media after being elected as SGPC President, Harjinder Singh Dhami said that today’s election of office bearers of the SGPC was very important, because the BJP government at the Centre, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), especially the Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Iqbal Singh Lalpura, along with Punjab and Haryana governments, and Congress were secretly working together as one to press the SGPC members and asking them to vote against the candidate of Shiromani Akali Dal. He said but the SGPC members have succeeded in voting for the candidate of Shiromani Akali Dal in a large number in response to the forces conspiring to destroy the Sikh institution.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said the credit of this victory goes to all those members of the SGPC, who resolved to remain firm despite the adverse circumstances. While thanking the Guru for his election as SGPC President, Advocate Dhami thanked Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal besides the SGPC members and all party leaders.
Advocate Dhami said that he will work day and night for the management of the Gurdwaras and other institutions managed by the SGPC in the light of the traditions and customs of the Sikh Panth besides pursuing the issues of community.
He said that to make the administrative work more smart and accurate, it will be progressed according to the priorities of the time and the works of religious preaching, education and public welfare will be done continuously. Support will be taken from the working organizations and societies in the field of propagation of Sikh faith.
Advocate Dhami & other elected office-bearers thank Guru
After being elected as SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami and other office-bearers paid obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib and thanked the Guru, where they were given honoured with Siropao (robe of honour) by head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh. Advocate Dhami along with office-bearers also went to Akal Takht Sahib and Yadgar Shaheedan to thank the Guru.
Jathedars, high priest remained present in general house session
During the general house session held at Teja Singh Samari Hall for the annual SGPC election of office-bearers, head granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh were also present. At the beginning of the session, Giani Raghbir Singh offered Ardas (Sikh prayer) while the hukamnama was recited by Giani Jagtar Singh. During this session, SGPC President and other office-bearers were honoured by Giani Jagtar Singh, Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. Advocate Dhami thanked the members present and the proceedings of the general meeting were conducted by SGPC secretary Partap Singh. Total 146 SGPC members were present in this general house session.
Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC member since 1996
Harjinder Singh Dhami, who has been elected as SGPC President for a second consecutive term, is associated with the SGPC for a long time. He also served as SGPC general secretary. In 2020, Advocate Dhami was appointed by the General House as the honorary chief secretary of the SGPC. Born in 1956, Harjinder Singh Dhami holds BA, LLB. For the last 40 years, he has been involved in the legal profession and has been voluntarily fighting the cases of Sikh warriors. He became an SGPC member for the first time in 1996 and has been a member since then. Advocate Dhami has a strong hold on Sikh issues and is known as a devout religious leader. He has always contributed by giving better opinions and suggestions to elevate the position and direction of the SGPC.
During his last tenure as SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami observed the centenaries of Morcha Guru Ka Bagh and Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) Panja Sahib.