Punjab Government Reverses Stance on Banga Gurdwara Records
The Punjab government made a significant U-turn on Monday. Officials declared there were no discrepancies in the records of Sri Guru Granth Sahib saroops at Rasokhana Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib Gurdwara in Banga. This announcement directly contradicts Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's earlier statement about finding 169 saroops at the shrine.
Finance Minister Points to Communication Breakdown
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema addressed the media about the reversal. He blamed a miscommunication between the Special Investigation Team and the Chief Minister's office for the confusion. Cheema stated the SIT conveyed incorrect information to the state government.
"The records available at the Gurdwara Sahib are completely accurate and properly maintained," Cheema emphasized. "The issue arose due to miscommunication between the SIT and the Chief Minister's office."
Cheema clarified that all 169 saroops at the gurdwara are properly accounted for and in good condition. He explained that 107 saroops were printed before 2012 and issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The remaining 62 came from private publishers.
Political Fallout and Resignation
The controversy prompted immediate political consequences. Banga MLA Dr Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi resigned as chairman of the Punjab State Container and Warehousing Corporation on Sunday. He took this step following Mann's original statement about the saroops.
Sukhi was absent when government officials visited the gurdwara. Cheema revealed the MLA's father is critically ill and currently on a ventilator. The family emergency prevented his attendance.
Government sources indicated the delegation visited the shrine to placate both the gurdwara management and Sukhi. The MLA had reportedly felt unheard after meeting the Chief Minister. He openly protested Mann's statement, claiming no violations occurred at the gurdwara.
Opposition Parties Criticize Government Handling
Opposition leaders seized on the government's reversal. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema demanded Chief Minister Mann's resignation. He argued Mann lost moral authority after his finance minister contradicted his earlier claims.
"After Finance Minister's official statement that all the records of saroops at gurdwara are accurate, CM Mann has lost all moral authority to continue and must resign," the Akali leader stated.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira called for a public apology from the Chief Minister. He accused Mann of misleading the Sikh community about such a sensitive matter.
Investigation Continues Amid Clarifications
Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang accompanied the government delegation to the gurdwara. He confirmed the misunderstanding has been cleared. Kang specifically denied rumors about an FIR against the gurdwara management.
"There was a rumour that there an FIR against the Gurdwara management. There is no such FIR," Kang told reporters. "Investigation will continue in the missing saroops but the Raja Sahib gurdwara has nothing to do with that investigation."
The Punjab Police continues investigating the disappearance of 328 saroops. Authorities registered a case in Amritsar against 16 people. The accused include SGPC's former chief secretary and a chartered accountant. The alleged disappearance occurred in 2020.
Government Attempts Damage Control
Finance Minister Cheema announced Chief Minister Mann will soon visit the Banga shrine. He plans to interact directly with the gurdwara management committee. This visit appears part of broader damage control efforts.
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian revealed Sukhi's resignation will be discussed in Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. The government faces pressure from within its own ranks. Several AAP MLAs and leaders grew restive after Mann's original statement at the Maghi conference.
The delegation to Banga included Cabinet colleague Harjot Singh Bains along with Cheema and Kang. Their visit aimed to address concerns from multiple quarters simultaneously.
