Giani Harpreet Singh (Akal Takht Chief) Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Bio/Wiki
Profession	Sikh Clergyman
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters- 173 cm in meters- 1.73 m in feet & inches- 5’ 8”
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Personal Life
Date of Birth	May 1972
Age (as of 2022)	50 Years
Birthplace	Gidderbaha, Muktsar, Punjab
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Gidderbaha, Muktsar, Punjab
College/University	• Guru Kashi Gurmat Institute, Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab • Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab
Educational Qualification [1]Hindustan Times	• Three-year Diploma Course – Prachaark, Guru Kashi Gurmat Institute, Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo • One-year Diploma in Divinity from Punjabi University, Patiala • Master’s degree in comparative religious studies from Punjabi University, Patiala • PhD on the comparative study of teachings of Quran and Guru Granth Sahib from Punjabi University from Punjabi University, Patiala
Religion	Sikhism
Food Habit	Vegetarian
Political Inclination	Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) [2]The Times of India
Controversies	‘Save SAD’ appeal to Sikh groups In 2022, after the crushing defeat of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the assembly elections, Giani Harpreet Singh was slammed by Akal Takht ex-Jathedar Ranjit Singh, who accused Harpreet of calling the Sikh community "badtameez" i.e, ill-mannered. Ranjit Singh called Harpreet Singh a stigma on the prestigious position of Akal Takht Jathedar, meanwhile stating that Harpreet untiringly advocates the politics of Parkash Singh Badal. Apparently, while delivering a speech Harpreet had stated that the end of SAD is fatal for the Sikh society. Ranjit claimed that Harpreet was a slave to the Badal family. Ranjit Singh also said that Harpreet should not show concern for a particular party, as he was expected to be apolitical. [3]PEHREDAR PUNJAB TV Slammed for Promoting Arms Among Sikhs (2022) In a video message on 23 May 2022, Giani Harpreet Singh addressed the Sikh community and encouraged them to possess a licensed modern weapon due to the prevailing circumstances. In the video, Giani said, "The teachings of Guru Hargobind Sahib are still relevant. There is a need, especially for Sikh boys and girls, to follow the orders of Guru Hargobind Sahib. They should take training in ‘gatka’ (a traditional martial art), sword fighting and shooting. And every Sikh should also try to possess a licensed modern weapon because such are the times and such circumstances have been developing.” The remark stirred controversy and Giani Harpreet Singh was slammed by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who believed that the temporal head of the Sikh community should rather foster peace and brotherhood. Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (Punjab Congress chief) dubbed Harpreet’s remarks as mischievous and demanded his expulsion from the post of Jathedar. Giani made the remarks on the Guru Gaddi Diwas of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, who is known for bringing a transformation in the Sikh community by arming and training Sikhs to fight against the barbarous acts of Mughals. [4]The Tribune
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Family
Wife/Spouse	Name Not Known
Children	He has two daughters.
Parents	His late father served as a Granthi in a village’s Gurudwara. Not much is known about his mother.
Siblings	He has two siblings.

Some Lesser Known Facts About Giani Harpreet Singh

• Giani Harpreet Singh is a Sikh clergyman who was appointed the Akal Takht Jathedar, the highest spokesman of the Sikh community in 2018.

• Born to a Granthi father, Giani Harpreet Singh was inclined towards Spirituality and Sikhism since childhood.

• In 1997, at the age of 24, Harpreet Singh started serving as pracharak (preacher) under the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He worked as pracharak for two years.

• From August 1998 to May 2017, he served as the Head Granthi at Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Katha Vachak (Interpreter of religious texts).

• In May 2017, he was elevated to the position of Jathedar of Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib.

• On 10 November 2015, Jagtar Singh Hawara was selected as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht by Sarbat Khalsa (Khalsa formal assembly meeting. At that time, Jagtar Singh Hawara was jailed in Tihar Jail as he was convicted of the assassination of the former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh. Sarbat Khalsa also declared Dhian Singh Mand as an interim Jathedar of Akal Takht, meanwhile demanding the removal of Gurbachan Singh. However, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, said that all resolutions announced by Sarbat Khalsa were null and void principally. Giani Gurbachan Singh was opposed by the Sikh masses when he granted ex-parte pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Dera Sacha Sauda’s chief, who stirred controversy in 2015 when he appeared in a robe similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh. However, Giani Gurbachan Singh resigned citing his advanced age and ill-health.

• After the resignation of Giani Gurbachan Singh as Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, in October 2018, Giani Harpreet Singh was given the additional charge of acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar, by the SGPC.
  

  SGPC officially appointing Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib

• On the appointment of Giani Harpreet Singh as Acting Akal Takht Jathedar, President of SGPC Gobind Singh Longowal said the Harpreet will remain on the post till a permanent Jathedar is appointed. Meanwhile, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar said,
  

  The young Jathedar might not be as experienced as others, but he has a clean image and is non-controversial.”

• Thereafter, Giani Harpreet Singh started serving as the Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht and Jathedar of Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib simultaneously.

• Giani Harpreet Singh had to take the heat of the raging Sikh community after his appointment as he was tagged an ap­pointee of the Badals. Dur­ing a func­tion at Golden Tem­ple to ob­serve the death an­niver­sary of Indira Gandhi’s as­sas­sin, orthodox Sikhs re­fused to accept the siropa (robe of hon­our) from Harpreet and walked out. Harpreet also faced a big­ger protest on Bandi Ch­hod Di­was (Di­wali).

• Harpreet is the second Jathedar of the Akal Takht from Muktsar, after Giani Gurbachan Singh. Interestingly, both have served at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Muktsar.

• While talking about Giani Harpreet Singh in an interview, Muhammad Habib, who was supervising Harpreet Singh’s PhD research, said,
  

  He [Giani] is very humble. Even after taking over as the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, he used to come to me like any other student. I think his understanding of other religions will help him function better.”

• In September 2020, Harpreet Singh publicly disciplined Gobind Singh Longowal, president of SGPC, and executive committee members of SGPC  as they failed to review the misappropriation in its publication department due to which 328 Guru Granth Sahib saroops went missing. Saroop is a physical copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, also called Bir in Punjabi.

• In September 2021, Giani Harpreet Singh held a meeting with Dr Aamer Ahmed, Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to appreciate their efforts in maintaining Gurdwaras in Pakistan.
  

  Giani Harpreet Singh in a meeting with Dr Aamer Ahmed

• As of 2022, SGPC has neither appointed a permanent Jathedar nor accorded this status to Giani Harpreet Singh.