Latest news with #GoldenTemple
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Akal Takht ex-jathedar honours Giani Gargaj
Golden Temple head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh on Saturday extended a special honour to acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj by inviting him to his residence at the shrine complex and giving him 'siropa' (robe of honours) as a mark of deep respect. Golden Temple granthi Giani Sultan Singh also honoured Giani Gargaj, jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, with a siropa. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj being honoured in Amritsar. (HT photo) Giani Raghbir Singh, who was removed from the post of the Akal Takht jathedar a few months ago, remarked that throughout Sikh history, there has always been a harmonious and respectful relationship with the granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple). He emphasised that this tradition of mutual respect, cooperation and coordination must continue. He assured Giani Gargaj of his support at every level so that all 'Panthic' affairs may continue to be conducted in the spirit of unity and collective Sikh consciousness. Giani Gargaj thanked both for their gesture and support. Giani Raghbir Singh was removed as Akal Takht jathedar by the SGPC allegedly in wake of December 2 edict of the Sikh clergy led by him that called for change of the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership, also comprising Sukhbir Singh Badal, and constituted a panel to reorganise the party, besides stripping Sukhbir's father and former CM Parkash Singh Badal of the 'Panth Rattan-Fakhr-e-Qaum' title. He had also objected to the installation ceremony of Giani Gargaj and termed it as violation of Panthic maryada.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Raghbir does a U-turn, honours Gargaj with siropa
1 2 Amritsar: Akal Takht former jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who is the serving head granthi of Golden Temple and had condemned the procedure used to appoint Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as the officiating jathedar just months ago, has now extended support to the man he once opposed. "The head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), Giani Raghbir Singh, extended a special honour to the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht and jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, by inviting him to his residence at Sri Darbar Sahib and presenting him with a siropa (robe of honour) as a mark of deep respect," said a spokesperson of the Akal Takht secretariat on Saturday. He assured Gargaj of support at every level, so that all panthic affairs may continue to be conducted in the spirit of unity and collective Sikh consciousness. To validate his "truce", Giani Raghbir said throughout Sikh history, there had always been a harmonious and respectful relationship between the granthi of Harmandar Sahib and Akal Takht jathedar, as he recalled the relationship between first granthi Baba Buddha and first jathedar, Bhai Gurdas. "This tradition of mutual respect, cooperation, and coordination must continue," he said. On March 7, the executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) removed Giani Raghbir as the jathedar of the Akal Takht and Giani Sultan Singh as the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was appointed the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib and given the additional charge of officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht. Sikh bodies such as Damdami Taksal and Nihang Singh organizstions has opposed the procedure adopted for the appointment. The sudden shift has sparked questions within panthic circles about reasons for the change of heart. A former jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, said there seemed to be politics behind what was happening. "Giani Raghbir Singh opposed the procedure of appointing Giani Gargaj, calling it a violation of maryada. Has that violation now been rectified? No, it has not," he said. "This U-turn is driven by leaders of a prominent Sikh political party, especially ahead of the Tarn Taran byelection and the upcoming 2027 assembly elections, to present a united front so that the panth does not perceive any differences within the clergy," he added. He claimed that certain facilities given to Giani Raghbir Singh by SGPC were withdrawn in recent past and these could have also pressured him to strike a "truce" with Giani Gargaj. He former jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, said the party controlling SGPC was behind what he a called a "so-called truce". He said this set a dangerous precedent for future.
United News of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Golden Temple receives 7th threat email, SGPC questions govt's inaction
Chandigarh, July 19 (UNI) The Golden Temple today received its seventh threat email, continuing a string of disturbing messages over the past week. Speaking to the media, former Akal Takht Jathedar and current Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh expressed concern over the silence of the Punjab government. He said despite multiple threats, no official communication has been made with the SGPC Calling the emails a sign of a "larger conspiracy", Giani Raghbir Singh stated that two suspects were arrested yesterday, yet the threats persist, creating fear among devotees. He emphasized that while the shrine's internal administration is capable of handling security, it is the government's responsibility to prevent malicious activities by external elements. He also condemned Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla for writing to the Centre demanding CISF deployment at the shrine, calling it 'highly condemnable' in light of the party's past actions, including the 1984 military assault on Sikh religious institutions. Giani Raghbir urged political parties to stop exploiting the issue and instead unite to ensure justice. He called on the Punjab Chief Minister to urgently engage with the SGPC and take the matter seriously. Despite the threats, he appealed to devotees to continue visiting the Golden Temple without fear. UNI NB AAB
United News of India
18-07-2025
- United News of India
Golden Temple threat email: Suspect detained from Faridabad
Amritsar, July 18 (UNI) Acting on a recent series of threat emails targeting the Golden Temple, Amritsar Police have intensified security arrangements around the revered Sikh shrine. Enhanced deployments, in coordination with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), have been made both within and around the complex, with DCP-level officers monitoring the situation on the ground. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, in a press briefing, confirmed that cyber investigations are underway in collaboration with state cyber crime units and central agencies. The probe has also extended to multiple states, including Tamil Nadu, where similar emails were reportedly received. Authorities are currently exploring potential connections with fringe political elements from the region. As part of the investigation, a man identified as Subham Dubey was detained from Faridabad. Police say he is a graduate who has worked with various firms. His electronic devices, including a laptop and phone, have been seized for forensic examination. However, officials clarified that he has not been formally charged and is being questioned based on technical leads. Commissioner Bhullar further stated that VPNs and advanced technology were used to mask the origin of the emails, indicating a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators. Despite the challenges, police remain confident about a breakthrough soon. The police reassured devotees that there is no cause for panic and that all security protocols are being implemented respectfully, in line with religious decorum. Authorities have contacted cybersecurity experts and international service providers to trace digital footprints. While the investigation is still ongoing, officials stressed that significant progress has been made. 'With Guru Maharaj's blessings, all devotees are safe. We are hopeful of achieving a full breakthrough very soon,' said Bhullar. UNI NB AAB
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Punjab Police detain software engineer over e-mails threatening to blow up Golden Temple
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police have detained a 24-year-old software engineer from Haryana, in connection with a series of threatening emails sent to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), warning of a plan to blow up the Golden Temple in Amritsar using RDX. According to police, seven emails were sent in the past five days. Investigators revealed that a significant portion of the email content was linked to Tamil Nadu. Sources said that the alleged suspect has been identified as Shubham Dubey who hails from Faridabad in Haryana. Terming it as a "partial success" Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that said Dubey is a BTech-degree holder and has worked with two software companies but is currently unemployed. He was taken into custody for questioning, his laptop and mobile phones have been seized and sent for forensic examination. Bhullar added that central agencies were also involved in the probe and added the suspect was associated with multiple software companies. "Dubey has been brought to Amritsar by the state police after we got lead with the help of central agencies and the state cyber-crime cell. We are investigating his role in sending threat emails. He is being questioned. It is partial success in the case. We are awaiting information from internet service providers and have sent them requests for the same. A sizeable information is yet to come,' he added.
