Chandigarh/Amritsar, March 8 -- In a major shake-up within the Sikh religious leadership, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday removed Giani Raghbir Singh from his position as Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. The decision, taken during a meeting of the SGPC executive committee at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, also saw the removal of Giani Sultan Singh as Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
In their place, Sikh preacher Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has been appointed Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, with additional charge as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht. Meanwhile, SGPC member Baba Tek Singh Dhanola has been named as the new Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.
Giani Raghbir Singh, however...