Amid demand of his removal, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Thursday has offered to quit as Jathedar.
In a statement written in Punjabi and issued through his personal assistant Satinderpal Singh late evening, the Jathedar cited health reasons and his advancing age which do not allow him to continue. He has asked the SGPC president and executive to find a better replacement and that he should be allowed to step down.
On the other hand, the SGPC’s secretary and spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said his resignation was not received as yet.
“As and when we receive it, we will take the move accordingly. At this juncture, we have no official intimation regarding it and no resignation has been received,” he said.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh faced severe criticism for pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda in blasphemy case in September 2015. Though he had revoked the exoneration, Giani Gurbachan Singh had to face massive backlash from the community.
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After the Justice Ranjit Singh commission report on sacrilege was tabled in Vidhan Sabha, the issue again took a centrestage as the report pointed towards the alleged role of Badals in persuading the Jathedar to pardon dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Giani Gurbachan Singh joined SGPC as a Sewadar in Sri Muktsar Sahib. He served SGPC for 36 years and was the head priest before becoming the Jathedar in 2008.