PHAGWARA: Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leaders, alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann were attempting to weaken Sikh religious and autonomous institutions for political gains, terming it harmful for the sentiments of the Sikh community.
SAD (B) Phagwara Urban constituency in-charge Ranjit Singh Khurana and Rural constituency in-charge Rajinder Singh Chandi, in the presence of district president Jarnail Singh Wahad, said that the issue of 328 sacred saroops was being misrepresented for political mileage and maintained that the report of the Bhai Isher Singh Committee did not mention theft or sacrilege but pointed to procedural lapses and misconduct by some employees, alleging that presenting facts otherwise was misleading the public; the leaders strongly criticised statements and actions which they claimed undermined the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and hurt the dignity of Sikh leadership, while also questioning the government’s handling of law and order and past sacrilege-related incidents; they further alleged political motivation behind investigations and SIT formation, asserting that the ruling party was targeting Akali leadership for vendetta, while stating that SAD would oppose any attempts to interfere in Sikh institutions and vowed to present its stance firmly before the people of Punjab.