“I was waiting for the summons, will expose corruption in the SGPC with documentary evidence”
By SATINDER BAINS
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has opened yet another front of confrontation with the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, by laying down conditions for his appearance before it, even as he has been summoned for challenging its authority.
The Akal Takht has summoned Bhagwant Mann on January 15 to explain his public statements and actions that are being seen as questioning the supremacy of Sikh religious institutions. While Mann had earlier conveyed his acceptance of the summons, he on Wednesday raised new demands, insisting that his interaction with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh should be telecast live on all television channels.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said he would “expose the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)” for allegedly misappropriating funds of Guru Ki Golak. Mann claimed he would carry documents to substantiate allegations of financial irregularities and accused the SGPC leadership of looting Sikh religious funds. He also reiterated his long-standing allegation that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal controls the SGPC, a charge repeatedly denied by the Akali Dal.
Mann stated that he was waiting for the summons by Akal Takht and will take along all the evidence to probe misdeeds and corruption in the Shiromani Gurdawara Parfnbhandak Committee (SGPC). He seems mixing Akal Takht and SGPC while Akal Talht is supreme seat of Sinkh community and SGPC is a body to manage historic Sikh shrines.
The Chief Minister’s conditional acceptance of the summons has drawn sharp reactions from Sikh religious circles. Gurcharan Singh Grewal, General Secretary of the SGPC, advised Bhagwant Mann to appear before the Akal Takht as a humble Sikh and not attempt to dictate terms.
“Akal Takht is not a political platform. One must appear there with humility, not conditions. SGPC has no objection if proceedings are telecast, but that decision rests solely with the Akal Takht, ” Grewal said.
Meanwhile, according to informed sources, Bhagwant Mann has been asked to appear before the Akal Takht Secretariat and not before the Akal Takht Fasil (sanctum seat). Sikh religious tradition permits only Amritdhari (baptised) Sikhs to appear before the Takht seat. Mann is not a baptised Sikh and is considered a patit Sikh, as he trims his beard and cuts his hair—an issue that has previously attracted criticism from orthodox Sikh groups.
The controversy is further compounded by the resurfacing of an old video of Bhagwant Mann in which he is seen making remarks that many Sikhs had termed disrespectful towards a photograph of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The video had earlier triggered outrage in Sikh circles, with demands that Mann tender an apology. The issue is expected to figure prominently during deliberations surrounding his Akal Takht appearance.
Sikh scholars and religious observers warn that the Chief Minister’s confrontational posture risks politicising Sikh religious institutions and undermining the sanctity of the Akal Takht. They stress that differences over SGPC functioning or political control must not be conflated with the authority of the Takht, which is regarded as supreme in Sikh temporal affairs.
With January 15 approaching, all eyes are now on whether Bhagwant Mann will appear before the Akal Takht in accordance with Sikh religious norms or continue to escalate a standoff that has already deepened fault lines between the Punjab government and Sikh religious leadership.