AMRITSAR: Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib and former Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Badal family, alleging that “major scams” were committed in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) under their patronage, causing serious damage to Sikh institutions.
Addressing a press conference, Giani Raghbir Singh said he was speaking “with a heavy heart” as he could no longer tolerate what he described as large-scale corruption and misuse of SGPC resources. He alleged that vast tracts of SGPC land were sold at throwaway prices to individuals close to the Badal family.
He further claimed serious irregularities in the handling of saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, stating that holy scriptures were distributed without proper records and their whereabouts remain unknown. Raising another serious issue, he alleged that devotees are being charged up to Rs 5 lakh for conducting Akhand Path at Sri Darbar Sahib, despite the SGPC executive committee fixing the offering at Rs 8, 500.
The former Jathedar also alleged corruption in the construction of sarais (inns) and in procurement of materials by the SGPC, adding that offerings made by devotees were being misused.
Calling for reform, he said that “the time has come to free the SGPC from the clutches of the Badal family.”
Giani Raghbir Singh also referred to the controversial pardon granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, head of Dera Sacha Sauda, alleging that it was granted at the behest of the Badal family and later withdrawn under pressure from the Sikh community.
He further cited the appointment of former Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, accusing him of excesses during militancy, and alleged patronage to former DGP Mohammed Izhar Alam, who he claimed had formed “Alam Sena.” He also referred to the Behbal Kalan firing as another example of alleged injustice.
Taking a dig at Sukhbir Singh Badal, he said that although the SAD president had once admitted to certain “mistakes, ” he later retracted his statement. He added that former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had also levelled similar allegations against the Badal family.
Giani Raghbir Singh alleged that both he and Giani Harpreet Singh were removed from their positions for not toeing the line of the Badal family. He expressed apprehension that he may also be removed from his current post as Head Granthi for raising his voice.
He also referred to recent controversies regarding the alleged fraudulent sale of land belonging to gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Amb Sahib and Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib. Former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh, he said, had earlier raised similar concerns over the sale of gurdwara lands and was also removed for opposing interference in Sikh affairs.