SGPC appoints acting jathedar of Takht Keshgarh
ANANDPURSAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has appointed Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Bhai Phoola Singh as the acting jathedar of the Takht following the death of previous jathedar Giani Mal Singh.
“According to Panthic traditions, Bhai Phoola Singh will also serve as the acting jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in addition to his present duty as head granthi,” said SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, while presenting a siropa to Bhai Phoola Singh. Badungar also expressed deep sorrow at Mal Singh’s death.
Mal Singh had died on Tuesday at a private hospital in Mohali after prolonged illness. He was cremated at Anandpur Sahib on Wednesday. He had been serving as Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedar since August 22, 2013, and had also served as head granthi of Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar.
On Wednesday, his body was taken to Diwan hall of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib from his residence, where former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal paid his tributes. “His loss is a great loss to the Sikh panth,” said Badal. DC Gurneet Tej also laid a wreath on the body of Mal Singh on the behalf of the government.
His body was taken to ground near sarovar of the Takht for cremation. His son and granthi of Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar, Giani Amarjit Singh lit the pyre.
A large number of people from all walks of life, including Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh,Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Harmandar Sahib head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh, SGPC general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla, MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former minister Daljit Singh Cheema, Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma, and Budha Dal chief Balbir Singh, attended the funeral.