Arshdeep Singh Kler's Statement Exposes SAD's Direct Interference in SGPC's Statutory Domain: Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala
Challenges SAD to Remove Kler as Chief Spokesperson Over the Controversy
AMRITSAR: BJP Punjab spokesperson and Sikh thinker Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala has alleged that the statement made by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami—that GTC Channel commenced the live telecast of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib on the basis of a statement issued by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief spokesperson Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler—points to what he described as direct interference by the Shiromani Akali Dal in the religious and administrative affairs of the SGPC.
Prof. Khiala challenged SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to demonstrate political and moral accountability by initiating disciplinary action against Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler and removing him immediately from the post of the party's chief spokesperson.
Referring to Dhami's press conference, Prof. Khiala said the SGPC President had categorically stated that the Committee had neither granted permission to GTC Channel to broadcast Gurbani live nor authorised any individual to convey such approval. According to Dhami, Advocate Kler is neither an official spokesperson of the SGPC nor empowered to issue permissions or make announcements on behalf of the Committee.
Prof. Khiala said the Sikh community deserves to know who authorised Advocate Kler to make a public announcement concerning the SGPC's statutory powers. "If the SGPC President himself has clarified that no permission was granted, on what authority and in what capacity did Mr. Kler make a statement that was subsequently relied upon by a television channel to commence the live telecast of Gurbani?" he asked.
He argued that the issue goes beyond an individual's statement and concerns the statutory autonomy, institutional dignity and religious authority of the SGPC. According to him, when the spokesperson of a political party makes public declarations on matters that fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the SGPC, it raises serious questions about political interference in the functioning of an autonomous statutory religious institution.
Prof. Khiala further demanded that the Shiromani Akali Dal clarify whether Advocate Kler's statement represented the party's official position or was merely his personal view. If the statement was contrary to the facts, he asked whether accountability would be fixed, an explanation sought, and disciplinary action initiated against him.
He noted that, according to the SGPC President, the SGPC is a statutory body governed by law, and every decision is taken strictly through the prescribed institutional process. In such circumstances, he said, any public declaration by a political party spokesperson regarding the Committee's statutory powers is a matter of serious concern and warrants accountability.
Prof. Khiala said that if the Shiromani Akali Dal genuinely respects the autonomy and institutional dignity of the SGPC, it should immediately clarify its position. He added that if Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler made the statement without any authority from either the party or the SGPC, appropriate disciplinary action should be taken, including his removal from the post of chief spokesperson, to send a clear message that unauthorised interference in the statutory powers of the SGPC will not be tolerated.
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