Shrine Committee Challenges Chief Minister's Statement on Saroops
The management of Rasokhana Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib shrine in Majara Nau Abad, Nawanshahr, has strongly contradicted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent statement. On Thursday, the shrine committee presented detailed information about the 169 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib in its possession. They clearly stated that none of these sacred copies have any connection to the list of missing saroops.
Committee Accuses CM of Making False Claims
The shrine committee directly accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of making what they called "false and misleading" claims. They emphasized that not a single saroop held by their shrine relates to the missing copies. This public contradiction has created a significant political controversy in Punjab.
The state government has not issued any response to the shrine committee's statement. This silence from the authorities has provided opposition parties with an opportunity to criticize the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government.
Opposition Leaders Visit Shrine and Criticize Government
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal visited the shrine on Friday evening. He warned the chief minister against interfering in Sikh religious matters. Badal made serious allegations against the police Special Investigation Team that visited the shrine.
He accused the police SIT of committing "sacrilege" while checking the saroops during their inspection. Badal further claimed that the police team worked directly under the chief minister's instructions. He stated that proper religious protocol, or maryada, was not followed during the inspection process.
According to Badal, committee members informed him they were receiving threats for challenging the government's claims. This allegation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing controversy.
Congress Leaders Join Criticism
Congress MLAs Pargat Singh and Sukhpal Singh Khaira also criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. They accused him of making a misleading statement about the shrine's saroops. Both leaders demanded an apology from the chief minister for his remarks.
Significance of the Shrine
The Rasokhana Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib shrine holds considerable influence in the region. It attracts devotees from across various castes and communities in Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, and Hoshiarpur districts. The shrine also has a substantial following among the Non-Resident Indian community from these areas.
The controversy touches on sensitive religious matters in Punjab. The handling of Guru Granth Sahib saroops remains a deeply emotional issue for the Sikh community. Political statements about these sacred texts often generate strong reactions from religious organizations and devotees.
The government's continued silence on the shrine committee's contradiction keeps the issue alive in public discourse. Opposition parties continue to use this opportunity to question the government's approach to religious matters. The situation highlights the complex relationship between politics and religion in Punjab.
