Amritsar, November 29, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami was elected as the 44th President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) during the annual general house session held at SGPC headquarters Teja Singh Samundri Hall in Amritsar on Monday.
During the session held in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, S. Surjit Singh Bhitewad proposed the name of Harjinder Singh Dhami for the post of President, which was seconded by Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka and further seconded by S. Ravinder Singh Khalsa. Meanwhile, S. Amrik Singh Shahpur proposed the name of S. Mithu Singh Kahneke for the post of President.
Following the voting was conducted, which was won by Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. A total of 142 votes were polled, of which, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami bagged 122 votes and S. Mithu Singh Kahneke got 19 votes while 1 vote was rejected.
During the general session, S. Raghujit Singh Virk was elected SGPC’s senior vice-president and his name was proposed by S. Baljit Singh Jalal Usman, seconded by S. Gurmeet Singh Booh and further seconded by S. Ravinder Singh Khalsa.
Similarly, Principal Surinder Singh was elected as the junior vice-president, whose name was proposed by S. Sukhpreet Singh Rode, seconded by Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla and further seconded by S. Nirmal Singh Hariau.
Karnail Singh Panjoli has been elected as the general secretary of SGPC, whose name was proposed by S. Daljit Singh Bhinder, seconded by S. Ajmer Singh Khera and further seconded by S. Avtar Singh. Although the general secretary was elected by ballot and 134 votes were polled. S. Karnail Singh Panjoli won with 112 votes and his opponent S. Gurpreet Singh bagged 21 votes and one vote was rejected.
The SGPC general house session also elected an 11 member executive committee of SGPC. The elected executive members include S. Surjit Singh Kang, S. Sarwan Singh Kular, S. Surjeet Singh Garhi, S. Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, S. Balwinder Singh Vain Puin, S. Harjap Singh Sultanwind, S. Gurinderpal Singh Gora, S. Amarjit Singh Bandala, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, S. Jodh Singh Samra, Baba Gurpreet Singh.
During the SGPC general house session, head granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar-E-Maskeen and other prominent personalities were also present.
A total of 143 SGPC members were present in the general house session.
Will resolutely preach Sikh faith, take forward health and education services: Advocate Dhami
Speaking to the press after being elected as the SGPC President, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that besides expediting the ongoing Dharam Prachar (religious preaching) campaign, health and education services would also be given a new direction as per the demand of the time.
He said SGPC is a common body of all and every Sikh should be a partner in its work.
Advocate Dhami said, “The service and work of the President, SGPC is a big responsibility and he would seek the support of the Sangat to perform the same. There is a protocol and code of conduct of the General House session of SGPC but it is unfortunate that some opposition members forget the honour of Guru Sahib and create ruckus. We strongly condemn the violation of Maryada in the presence of the Guru Sahib.”
Advocate Dhami said that any issue could be considered but it is unfortunate that instead of discussion, the atmosphere was deliberately spoiled by the opposition.
“Due to disturbance by some of the opposition members, some important resolutions brought in the General House could not be read. It was the supreme house of the Sikh community and the demands raised from here are of great significance but when some political interests do not allow the environment to be created here, it harms the entire community. Those who spoil the atmosphere for the sake of protest should take fatwa (decee) in the Sangat”, said Advocate Dhami.
SGPC President thanked the Guru Sahib following his election as President and also thanked the Shiromani Akali Dal patron S. Parkash Singh Badal, party president S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, senior Akali leaders and all the SGPC members.
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami pays obeisance at Sri Harmandar Sahib to thank the Guru
Newly elected SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami and other office-bearers thanked the Guru after paying obeisance at Sri Harmandar Sahib, where they were honoured with the Guru’s blessing Siropao (robe of honour) by the head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh. They also paid obeisance at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC member since 1996
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, the newly elected SGPC President has been associated with the SGPC for a long time. He also served as SGPC general secretary. Last year, 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 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. Advocate Dhami, who has been working in the Sikh body for the last one year from the administrative point of view, has maintained warm relations with various Sikh organizations besides improving the management of Gurdwaras, keeping the educational institutions up to date.
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