In a significant move that has sent shockwaves through the Sikh community, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has officially retired Giani Raghbir Singh, the Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. The decision was announced by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami following a high-stakes meeting of the Interim Committee.
The Catalyst: Unproven Allegations and an Expired Ultimatum
The conflict reached a breaking point after Giani Raghbir Singh held a press conference on February 18, 2026, where he leveled serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the SGPC.
In response, the SGPC Interim Committee passed Resolution 260 (dated Feb 19, 2026), granting the Head Granthi a 72-hour ultimatum to provide concrete evidence for his claims. According to President Dhami, Giani Raghbir Singh failed to provide any response or evidence within the stipulated time, instead raising further questions about the administration.
Reasons for the Immediate Retirement
President Dhami cited several reasons for the “immediate retirement” from service:
- Defamation of the Institution: The SGPC maintains that the public allegations tarnished the reputation of the SGPC and the supreme dignity of the Head Granthi’s office.
- Negligence of Duty: The committee alleged that Giani Raghbir Singh was frequently absent from his morning and evening duties at Sri Darbar Sahib.
- Violation of Service Rules: His public statements were deemed a direct breach of the organization’s service regulations.
- Excessive Foreign Travel: Dhami also criticized the Head Granthi for prioritizing foreign tours over his responsibilities as the head granthi.
“This is Just the Trailer”: Giani Raghbir Singh Responds
Despite the sudden dismissal, Giani Raghbir Singh appeared unfazed, stating he “welcomes the decision” and has no regrets after serving for 36.5 years. However, he did not hold back in his rebuttal:
- Political Pressure: He claimed the SGPC President is acting under external pressure (from Chandigarh or the Badal family) and that the decision is “contrary to the rules”.
- The “December 2” Connection: He suggested his retirement is linked to the historic decision made by the Five Singh Sahiban on December 2, 2024, regarding the Badals, implying this is a retaliatory move.
- Denial of Negligence: He dismissed the claims of duty negligence as “white lies,” asserting that he often performed more duties than required.
Giani Raghbir Singh concluded with a cryptic warning to the SGPC leadership: “This is just a trailer; the full movie is yet to come.” He hinted that he possesses recordings and further evidence that he intends to release to the public gradually.
What’s Next?
The SGPC has announced the formation of a special committee to handle any public inquiries or information related to this matter to ensure transparency. Meanwhile, President Dhami also used the press conference to defend the SGPC’s financial integrity, highlighting a significant increase in fixed deposits (FDRs) and successful property acquisitions under his tenure to counter the narrative of corruption.
As the “Panthic earthquake” continues to unfold, all eyes are now on Giani Raghbir Singh to see what “revelations” he will bring to the Sangat next