AMRITSAR: Punjab BJP spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala, in a strongly worded statement, said that Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj appears to be functioning more as a spokesperson of the Akali Dal Badal rather than providing impartial leadership to the Sikh community. He alleged that Gargaj’s statements reflect and reinforce narratives crafted by the Akali Dal Badal for political gains and vote-bank considerations.
Prof. Khiala stated that it is both surprising and deeply concerning that while the entire Sikh community, Punjab at large, and even the central leadership of the country have expressed serious concern over illegal and non-doctrinal religious conversions, Giani Gargaj appears to be downplaying the issue.
He pointed out a clear contradiction: on one hand, Gargaj acknowledges the rise in conversions and warns people, yet on the other hand, he claims that it is not a challenge for the Panth—indicating a deliberate attempt to shape a misleading narrative.
He further alleged that while Gargaj claims not to target the entire community, in reality, he is trying to shield the Akali Dal Badal. “His statements appear politically motivated, tailored to suit the interests of the Akali Dal Badal, ” Khiala said, adding that history shows that no Jathedar can sustain the position without the backing of the Akali Dal Badal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Expressing concern over religious conversions in Punjab, Prof. Khiala claimed that while the Christian population was around 1.3% a decade ago, it is now estimated to have risen beyond 15–16%.
He questioned that if conversions are not a challenge, why did the SGPC constitute nearly 300 प्रचार committees and deploy them in border villages?