AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has demoted Giani Jaswinder Singh, head priest (granthi) of Golden Temple, and appointed Giani Mal Singh as officiating head granthi. Meanwhile, working granthi Giana Jagtar Singh has been appointed additional head granthi.
According to sources, the decision was taken following a serious religious lapse on the part of Giani Jaswinder Singh. It is said on November 14 this week, Giani Jaswinder Singh forgot to read ‘Chopai Sahib’ during ‘Paath of Rehras Sahib’. Sikhs the world over noticed this mistake as the ‘Gurbani’ from Darbar Sahib is telecast live.
SGPC insiders say they received many complaints from across the globe about the incident which led them to take serious note of the mistake. A team was constituted to look into the incident and a decision to this effect was taken today during a meeting of the executive committee of SGPC held at Gurdwara Degsar Sahib Katana, Ludhiana.
A member of the SGPC, requesting anonymity, informed that Giani Jaswinder Singh was asked to quit but he refused. “Following his refusal to resign, the SGC decided to relieve him from the post of head granthi,” he said.
Confirming the decision, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said Giani Jaswinder Singh would continue to perform his duties as granthi but for next six months he would not be allowed to perform any service in sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple during direct telecast of ‘kirtan’ and ‘Gurbani’.
