SGPC Archives - National Times

16 Jun

SGPC Cancels Sikh Pilgrimage to Pakistan for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Death Anniversary Amid Tensions

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabdeath anniversary, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, SGPC, Sikh pilgrims

Amritsar, June 16, 2025 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided not to send Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan this year to observe the death anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a revered figure in Sikh history. The commemoration, traditionally held on June 29 at his samadhi in Lahore, will be missed by devotees due to rising cross-border tensions and prevailing government advisories.SGPC Secretary Partap Singh confirmed that although many Sikh devotees had already submitted their passports to the SGPC’s Travel Department for the annual pilgrimage, the trip has been called off as a precautionary measure. He emphasized that…

13 Jun

Speaker Sandhwan Defends Government Role in Sikh Celebrations, Urges SGPC to Rise Above Politics

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarjinder singh dhami, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Punjab government, SGPC

Chandigarh: In a deeply felt and assertive statement, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan responded to recent objections raised by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami regarding the Punjab government’s involvement in organizing official celebrations of Sikh centenaries and historical religious events.Sandhwan strongly asserted that Sikh history such as the birth anniversary of Baba Budha Ji, the first Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib, and the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib belongs to all of humanity, not to any single institution or political party. He reminded that similar centenaries were officially commemorated in 1975 and 1999 under previous governments…

08 Jun

Bhagwant Mann Slams Akalis for Politicizing SGPC, Misusing Religious Platforms

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAkali Dal, Bhagwant Mann, SGPC, Shiromani Golak Prabandhak Committee

Amritsar, Punjab | June 8, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a scathing attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership on Sunday, accusing them of turning the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) into a money-centered institution. Referring to it sarcastically as the “Shiromani Golak Prabandhak Committee,” Mann alleged that greed and political manipulation under the Akalis have eroded the sanctity of the premier Sikh religious body.Addressing a public gathering in Amritsar, CM Mann accused the Badal family and Akali leaders of exploiting their political dominance to interfere in the internal religious affairs of Sikhs. He alleged that appointments…

23 May

SGPC puts decision to display former PM Manmohan Singh’s portrait in Central Sikh Museum on hold

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabDr Manmohan Singh, SGPC

Amritsar, May 23, 2025: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to temporarily defer the matter of displaying a portrait of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the Central Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple here. SGPC secretary Partap Singh on Friday said that a recent meeting of the SGPC's Executive Committee had approved the installation of late Manmohan Singh's portrait in the Central Sikh Museum. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has, however, ordered the matter to be put on hold for the time being following objections raised by various groups, he said. The SGPC respects the sentiments…

19 May

Dhruv Rathee Deletes Controversial Video on Sikh Gurus After Backlash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabAI controversy, Banda Singh Bahadur, Dhruv Rathee, SGPC, Sikh Gurus

Chandigarh, May 19: Popular YouTuber and influencer Dhruv Rathee has taken down his controversial video on Sikh Gurus and historical events following widespread outrage from the Sikh community. The video, which used AI-generated visuals to depict revered figures like Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Banda Singh Bahadur, had sparked backlash from both religious bodies and individuals for allegedly distorting history and hurting religious sentiments.The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), along with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), had earlier issued strong objections to the video's content. They accused Rathee of trivializing Sikh history, presenting inaccuracies, and showing a lack…

19 May

Controversy Erupts as SGPC Condemns Dhruv Rathee’s AI Video on Sikh History

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabDhruv Rathee, SGPC

Amritsar (National Times): A new video on Sikh history by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has sparked fierce backlash from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which has accused him of twisting historical facts and disrespecting Sikh traditions. In a sharply worded statement, SGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal condemned Rathee’s use of artificial intelligence to portray events in Sikh history, claiming the video included factual distortions and lacked cultural sensitivity. “Rathee did not even show basic respect by referring to Guru Sahib appropriately,” said Grewal. “This kind of casual storytelling is unacceptable when dealing with matters of deep religious significance.” The…

18 Mar

Harjinder Singh Dhami to Withdraw Resignation After Key Meeting with SAD Leaders

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAkali Dal', Harjinder singh dhami, Punjab News, SGPC

Hoshiarpur, Punjab (National Times): In a major political development, Harjinder Singh Dhami has decided to withdraw his resignation after a productive meeting with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, interim party president Balwinder Singh Bhunder, and other prominent party leaders at his Hoshiarpur residence. Following the meeting, Dhami confirmed his decision to rejoin the party and take charge again in the coming days. “For a while now, SGPC members, SAD leaders, and many others have been urging me to reconsider my resignation. After much thought, I have decided to return to my position. In the next 3-4 days,…

14 Mar

Growing Divide in Damdami Taksal as Sikh Leaders Discuss Panthic Unity

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAkal Takht Jathedar, Damdami Taksal rift, Panthic unity, SGPC

Amritsar, March 14, 2025 – A widening rift within the Damdami Taksal surfaced as Sri Akal Takht Jathedar and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, met with Damdami Taksal Chief Bhai Ram Singh Sangravan at his residence to discuss key Panthic issues.During the meeting, the two Sikh leaders addressed challenges facing the Sikh community and strategies for strengthening religious outreach. Bhai Ram Singh extended his full support to Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj for advancing Panthic initiatives. As a gesture of respect, Bhai Ram Singh honored Gargaj with a traditional dastaar (turban) and a siropa (robe of…

14 Mar

Attack at Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas: SGPC Demands Justice

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarmandar Sahib assault, SGPC, Sikh devotees, Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas attack

Amritsar, Match 14, 2025: An attack on devotees and sewadars at Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas, located within Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, has sparked outrage among the Sikh community. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has condemned the violent incident and called for strict action against the attackers.Shocking Attack During Prayer GatheringThe attack took place around noon when a masked assailant entered Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas and began assaulting devotees and sewadars with an iron rod. Sikh devotees from around the world had gathered to offer prayers for the new Nanakshahi year.Five people were injured in the attack, including three devotees…

10 Mar

SGPC Installs Jathedar in Surprise Midnight Ceremony Amid Sikh Opposition

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAkal Takht, Jathedar Appointment, SGPC, Takht Kesgarh Sahib

Sri Anandpur Sahib, March 10, 2025 – In an unexpected pre-dawn move, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) installed Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib at 2:45 AM, seven hours before the scheduled ceremony. The decision came after Nihang outfits threatened to disrupt the event and several Sikh organizations announced a boycott over the controversial removal of previous jathedars.Giani Gargaj, 40, was also given additional charge as acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Sikhism’s highest temporal authority in Amritsar. The rushed appointment, conducted in the presence of the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of Akal Takht,…