PATIALA, Punjab—While speaking at a function in Patiala on April 23, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar said that he is no longer interested in leading the SGPC. Makkar was in Patiala to attending a college function where he was invited as the chief guest.
Makkar stated that he has presided over the SGPC for too long, and due to health problems, he doesn’t wish to contest SGPC elections. “I will contest if the Akali Dal wants me to, however at this point, I wish to take rest,” Makkar stated.
Sikh intellectual, S. Baljit Singh Khalsa, said that Makkar’s statement has signified that the Badals are about to appoint a new person in his place. He said that during Makkar’s tenure, objectionable anti-Sikh literature was published and distributed in large numbers by the SGPC. “Now the Badals will bring on a new puppet to destroy Sikh values,” he added.
The Akali Dal faces a strong challenge in the upcoming SGPC elections, slated for later this year. Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, ex-hazoori Ragi of Sri Harmandir Sahib, has been rallying against anti-Sikh activities in the SGPC. He is going to contest SGPC elections under the banner of the ‘Sikh Sadhbhawna Dal’ and is gaining much support from Sikh organizations.
In regards to Makkar’s statement, Bhai Wadala stated that for sometime, Makkar and Akali Dal leaders have been in disagreement. Akali Dal president, Sukhbir Badal, has sought to remove Makkar. However, due to increasing controversies and opposition, he has not been able to do so. He said that Makkar’s place could be given to Harcharan Singh, Jagir Kaur or one of Badal’s family members, including his wife Harsimrat Badal.
A humble piece of advise to SGPC that Mughal ,British politics are of the past by gone world for Sikhs.
We have new players on Globe like USA, Europe,Russia , Canada, and Middle east .
In future they will have Galactic and Parallel Universe players.
A man who forgets his past has no future and those who do not learn the lessons form the past are doomed to repeat them. Sikhs can not and will not forget their glorious history and heritage as both are inextricably intertwined with Sikh theology and we have no intention of that being abandoned or adulterated either simply so that others do not have to feel insecure and ashamed about their forefathers lack of courage.
We must have our SGPC head some one with a vision and knowledge of Science and Universe and New world politics.
You want a head of the SGPC who has vision and knowledge of ‘science, universe and new world politics’? What about knowledge of basic Sikh theology and history considering the SGPC’s primary job is to look after Sikhs shrines, institutions, rehat, heritage, to safeguard Sikh rights and represent Sikh interests!
Yes both .
Science and theology combined together.
You didn’t say both, in fact you made no mention of theological qualification for the post until I pointed out how nonsensical that would be to omit considering what the SGPC was established to do – it is not an astronomical society but a Sikh religious organisation and its sole purpose is to protect and project Sikh interests.
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Yes Makkar you take a long rest. Best thing for everybody. Maybe go on extended holiday long way away from Punjab and the Sikhs.