Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) on Friday criticized the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over its special General House meeting, accusing its leadership of selectively implementing directives from the Akal Takht. Party president Giani Harpreet Singh alleged that those who had themselves turned fugitives from the Akal Takht's December 2, 2024 directives were now asking the Sikh community to follow the Akal Takht's orders. He claimed that the sanctity of the Akal Takht was being used to protect one individual and fulfill his political ambitions.
Demands for action against Sukhbir Singh Badal
Giani Harpreet Singh demanded that the SGPC General House should also pass a resolution against Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly not complying with the December 2 directives. He questioned why the SGPC did not convene a General House meeting to enforce those directives earlier. He also challenged SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, alleging that Dhami himself had failed to comply with the Akal Takht's order by stepping down from the seven-member committee formed on December 2, 2024.
Objection to flex boards and misuse of donations
The party also objected to the installation of flex boards against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at historic gurdwaras. Giani Harpreet Singh said the SGPC should not spend donations from the Guru's Golak to promote the politics of one family or create divisions in villages. Referring to an earlier controversy involving the Sirsa Dera chief, he noted that the SGPC had spent Rs 92 lakh on advertisements which were later withdrawn, and the money had to be refunded. He urged the Akal Takht to intervene and stop the installation of the flex boards.
Criticism of political parties and Kejriwal
Giani Harpreet Singh also alleged that the trolling of the Akal Takht Jathedar by the Aam Aadmi Party's IT wing was wrong, but claimed such attacks had started earlier during the Shiromani Akali Dal's tenure. He said both political parties should keep the Akal Takht away from political battles. Targeting Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who was in Amritsar on Friday, Giani Harpreet Singh asked what had happened to the party's promise of delivering justice in sacrilege cases within 24 hours of coming to power. He also questioned Kejriwal's silence over the controversy involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
