SGPC to frame rules for appointment, removal of jathedar

The move comes amid criticism from various 'Panthic' bodies over the removal of jathedars by the gurdwara body

- Surjit Singh

AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday announced to formulate rules regarding the qualification, appointment, jurisdiction and retirement of the Akal Takht jathedar.

This comes weeks after the gurdwara body came under fire for removing jathedars unceremoniously months after they pronounced the December 2 hukamnama (Sikh decree) handing tankhah (religious punishment) to Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Akali leaders for mistakes committed during party's government from 2007 to 2017.

Harjinder Singh Dhami, who resumed the charge as the president of the gurdwara body, stated that respect for jathedars and all Sikh organisations would be upheld within the Sikh Panth, and in the future, the opinions and advice of Sikh Sampradas (sects) will not be ignored.