Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday alleged that former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh violated a "hukamnama" of the Akal Takht by referring to its proceedings before the special investigation team (SIT) probing the Behbal Kalan firing case.
Addressing a press conference, SAD functionaries Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler claimed that former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti had directed that proceedings of the Akal Takht should not be produced as evidence in courts or court-related matters. Cheema alleged that by recording his statement before the SIT, Giani Raghbir Singh had gone against that directive.
"He has not only contradicted his own decision but has also undermined the sanctity of the highest temporal seat of the Sikh community. Such a thing has never happened before and is highly condemnable," Cheema said.
The SAD leader said Giani Raghbir Singh had announced religious punishment for SAD leadership and later declared that it had been completed. "By reviving the issue and politicising a religious matter in collusion with the AAP, he has violated the maryada of the Akal Takht. This does not befit a former jathedar and damages the prestige of the institution," Cheema alleged. He urged Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to take note and initiate appropriate action.
Kler alleged that the AAP was attempting to divert public attention from pressing issues facing Punjab and was seeking to politicise the sacrilege issue ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
He also claimed that questions were being raised in court over the delay in completing the investigation in the Kotkapura police firing case despite the filing of challans, and alleged that efforts were being made to keep the issue alive for political reasons.
