Sikh religious head quits post

The jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday resigned from the post giving no reason for his sudden move.

Joginder Singh Vedanti submitted his resignation to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, a statutory body which manages affairs of Sikh shrines.

Gyani Gurbachan Singh has been appointed acting Jathedar of Akal Takht.

Vedanti's resignation was accepted during the executive meeting of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, the statutory body that manages affairs of Sikh shrines, held at Kurukshetra on Tuesday and chaired by its president Avtar Singh Makkar.

Gurbachan has been head priest of Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar. Gyani Jaswinder Singh will now take his place. The coronation of the new Jathedar will take place on August 7, Makkar said.