Latest news with #Valtoha
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Virsa Singh Valtoha tenders apology before Akal Takht
AMRITSAR : Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha on Tuesday tendered a written apology to the Akal Takht and urged the jathedar to reconsider the decree that asked the party to expel him for 10 years for allegedly levelling allegations against the then jathedars — Giani Raghbir Singh (Akal Takht) and Giani Harpreet Singh (Takht Damdama Sahib). The then Sikh clergy headed by Giani Raghbir Singh took the action on October 15, 2024, during an emergency meeting at the highest Sikh temporal seat after Valtoha failed to produce evidence to support his public claim that the jathedars are under pressure of the BJP-led central government, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Sikhs living abroad in the matter of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the highest Sikh temporal seat for the mistakes committed by the party from 2007to 17. Valtoha resigned from the party after issuance of the edict against him. However, he continued his political activities. Days after Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale was pardoned by the Sikh clergy for his objectionable utterances on Sikh practices, traditions and principles and ban on his discourses was lifted, Valtoha also approached Akal Takht. He visited the Takht secretariat to submit his written plea, which was received by secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh. Though Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was also present at the secretariat, he did not meet him. 'In the current situation, I did not find it appropriate to meet him at this moment.' said Valtoha, responding to a query.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Expelled for 10 years, Virsa Singh Valtoha looks to Akal Takht for returning back to Shiromani Akali Dal
1 2 Amritsar: Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, who resigned from the party after the five Sikh high priests had in Oct 2024 asked SAD to expel him for 10 years, has now approached the Akal Takht, seeking a review of his case in an effort to facilitate his return to the party. Sources have indicated a strong possibility that the high priests may consider Valtoha's application and could direct SAD to allow his re-entry. On May 21, the high priests made decisions on several significant matters, including the summoning of the jathedar of Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib and others, the reinstatement of former Takht Patna Sahib jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gahur-e-Maskin, who was previously expelled from the panth; and the lifting of the preaching ban on Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhandrianwale. Stating that there was no dispute between him and the party, Valtoha said he resigned from SAD after the former jathedar of Akal Takht directed the party to expel him. Valtoha has now approached the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, urging a reconsideration of the decision made by the previous jathedar on Oct 15, 2024, who instructed the then SAD working president, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, to expel him. The directive came after the Sikh clergy held Valtoha responsible for "denting the credibility" of the takht jathedars and for engaging in their character assassination. Before the party could formally act on the expulsion order, Valtoha tendered his resignation and remained out of active politics. Virsa said on Tuesday that he submitted a letter at the Akal Takht secretariat, addressing the officiating jathedar and urging him to reconsider the decision taken against him. He said he wrote that as a fallible Sikh, he sought forgiveness from the Guru Panth for every mistake he may have made knowingly or unknowingly, and assured that in future there would be no complaint from his side regarding any violation of the maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct), Gurmat, or principles. "I am an Akali by soul. The loss of Akali Dal has deeply pained my soul. If you consider it necessary, I am also willing to present my viewpoint before you in detail," wrote Valtoha.
