SGPC Accused of Selective Implementation of Akal Takht Orders
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) has leveled serious allegations against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), accusing it of selectively implementing directives issued by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhism. Party president Giani Harpreet Singh made the accusations during a press conference in Amritsar on Saturday.
Allegations of Protecting Individuals
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 temporal seat's orders. He claimed that the sanctity of the Akal Takht was being used to protect one individual and fulfill his political ambitions.
Demand for Action Against Sukhbir Singh Badal
The party president demanded that the SGPC General House should pass a resolution against SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly not complying with the December 2 directives. He questioned why the SGPC had not convened a General House meeting to enforce those directives.
Questioning SGPC President's Compliance
Giani Harpreet Singh also questioned SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, alleging that he too failed to comply with the Akal Takht's order by not stepping down from the seven-member committee formed to implement the Takht directives. The party also objected to the installation of flex boards against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at historic gurdwaras.
Misuse of Golak Donations
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involving the Sirsa Dera chief, he noted that the SGPC had spent Rs 92 lakh on advertisements that were later withdrawn, and the money had to be refunded.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.
Political Trolling of Akal Takht Jathedar
He 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 urged both political parties to keep the Akal Takht away from political battles.
Targeting AAP on Sacrilege Cases
Targeting AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who was visiting Amritsar, 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.
