The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) launched a sharp critique against the Punjab government on Thursday, accusing it of playing divisive politics. This accusation came just hours after the Punjab Police arrested the SGPC's former auditor, Satinder Singh Kohli. The central issue revolves around the handling of 328 saroops (sacred copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib.
SGPC President Alleges 'Dual Policy' and Political Motives
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami did not mince words, alleging that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government has adopted a contradictory stance. He claimed the state administration is playing with Sikh religious sentiments to serve political ends.
"On one hand, incidents of sacrilege continuously came to light during the tenure of the Bhagwant Mann government," Dhami stated. "While on the other, deliberate interference was made in the internal administrative affairs of the SGPC to divert public attention from these serious issues."
He went further, suggesting Chief Minister Mann's actions were driven by external pressure. "Mann indulged in such politics to please his political master Arvind Kejriwal and to safeguard his chief ministerial position," Dhami claimed. He warned that the government should refrain from politicizing an issue already addressed by the SGPC, lest it compel the community to launch a strong struggle.
BJP Enters Fray, Demands Questioning of Sukhbir Badal
The political dimension widened as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) entered the conversation with its own demands. A Punjab BJP spokesperson, Sarchand, called for an investigation into the possible involvement of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The party demanded that Sukhbir Badal be summoned for questioning, specifically by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority. "Sukhbir should be summoned by the Akal Takht and questioned so that the full truth can be brought before the Sikh sangat," said the BJP spokesperson.
The BJP's demand hinges on the alleged close ties between the arrested former auditor and the Akali leader. "It is no secret that Satinder Singh Kohli is considered close to Sukhbir Singh Badal and also handled his business accounts," the spokesperson asserted. The party also pointed out that Kohli owns a company that broadcasts Gurbani through a television company owned by the Badal family in North America.
A Brewing Controversy with Political and Religious Ramifications
The arrest of Satinder Singh Kohli has acted as a catalyst, unveiling deep-seated tensions between the state's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the SGPC, and opposition parties like the BJP and SAD. The core allegations put forth by the SGPC include:
- Government interference in the internal matters of the Sikh religious body.
- Using sensitive religious issues, like the management of sacred saroops, for political diversion.
- Failing to curb incidents of sacrilege while simultaneously creating new controversies.
The situation remains volatile, with the SGPC indicating readiness for a major confrontation if the state government continues on its current path. The BJP's call to involve the Akal Takht adds another layer of religious gravity to the ongoing political dispute. The developments in Amritsar are being closely watched as they intertwine Punjab's political dynamics with profound Sikh religious sentiments.
