Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of attempting to undermine the authority of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, and demanded action against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Allegations of Disrespect
Speaking to reporters, Sirsa alleged that instead of expressing remorse for their actions, AAP leaders sought to discredit the findings of the Akal Takht. He claimed that this was part of a deliberate bid to weaken the institution's moral authority among Sikhs.
“The Akal Takht is a revered institution for the Sikh community. Any attempt to question its decisions or undermine its stature is unacceptable,” Sirsa said. He called on the central government to take appropriate action against Mann and other AAP functionaries.
Political Context
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between the BJP and AAP over the handling of religious matters in Punjab. The Akal Takht had recently issued a directive regarding certain political statements, which AAP leaders allegedly challenged.
Sirsa, a prominent Sikh face of the BJP in Delhi, emphasized that the party would not tolerate any disrespect to Sikh religious institutions. He urged the Sikh community to remain vigilant against such attempts.
Demand for Action
The BJP leader demanded that the Punjab government clarify its stand and that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally apologize for the alleged remarks. He also called for a probe into the matter to prevent future incidents.
“This is not just a political issue but a matter of faith for crores of Sikhs worldwide. The AAP government must be held accountable,” Sirsa added.
