Harpreet Singh flays SGPC leadership, highlights 2024 edict against SAD | Chandigarh News

Amritsar: Harpreet Singh, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Reorganised), on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee leadership, stating that it was ironic that those who had escaped the directives of the Akal Takht were now mobilising support in the name of implementing SGPC orders.He alleged that the dignity and sanctity of the Akal Takht were being compromised to protect one person and fulfil his political ambitions.The party held a meeting here on Saturday to discuss issues regarding the SGPC’s general house session. The meeting was attended by former SGPC presidents Bibi Jagir Kaur and Gobind Singh Longowal, executive committee member Mitthu Singh Kahnke, senior party leaders and SGPC members.Harpreet Singh, a former jathedar of the Akal Takht, demanded that the SGPC general house also pass a resolution against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly reneging on the Dec 2, 2024, Akal Takht directive, and called for his social boycott.He asked why the SGPC had not convened a general house meeting to implement the Dec 2, 2024, edict? Harpreet Singh claimed that the SGPC president himself had failed to comply with the order by not leading the committee constituted to oversee the implementation of the edict.On Dec 2, 2024, the Akal Takht had summoned senior SAD leaders. They appeared before the Akal Takht, admitted to their actions, and were awarded religious punishment (tankhah) in accordance with the Sikh tradition. The edict held top SAD leaders, including Sukhbir Badal, guilty of religious and political misconduct during their tenure in govt from 2007 to 2017 and called for the reorganisation of the party.Referring to flex boards installed at historic gurdwaras targeting Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Harpreet Singh said the SGPC should not spend offerings from the Guru’s golak to promote the politics of a single family or create divisions in villages. He warned that such actions could lead to confrontation.Harpreet Singh recalled that the SGPC had hastily spent Rs 92 lakh during the Dera Sacha Sauda pardon controversy, and later, the money had to be refunded. He appealed to the Akal Takht to intervene and direct the SGPC to immediately stop the installation of such flex boards.Jagir Kaur warns against using Akal Takht for settling political scoresFormer president of the SGPC, Bibi Jagir Kaur, has called for unity within the Sikh community, stressing that internal divisions must come to an end.She cautioned against using the Akal Takht as a platform to settle personal or political scores, saying such actions diminish its dignity, sanctity, and authority. Invoking Panthic issues to pursue individual or political interests undermines the institution’s credibility, Jagir Kaur added.Referring to the upcoming Punjab assembly elections, Jagir Kaur said political parties should fight their electoral battles independently and refrain from dragging religious institutions into political conflicts.She also demanded that the SGPC implement the Dec 2, 2024, edict in its entirety, just as it was deploying all its resources to enforce the edict concerning CM Bhagwant Mann.Jagir Kaur also urged the jathedars to remain vigilant and ensure they do not come under pressure or influence from any political party while discharging their religious responsibilities.AAP to hold special meeting todayAhead of appearing before the Akal Takht, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has convened a special meeting here on June 28. All party MLAs and ministers have been asked to attend the meeting. CM Bhagwant Mann will also be a part of the meeting.According to sources, the Akal Takht secretariat has issued letters to the party’s Sikh MLAs and ministers, directing them to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29.Most of the Sikh MLAs from the AAP don’t want to get embroiled in another controversy over the sensitive religious issue, said a source.So far, most party leaders and legislators have refrained from making any public statements on the matter. However, it is understood that they are inclined to honour the summons from the Akal Takht and appear before it, the source added.All Sikh MLAs of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress have made it clear that they will appear before the Akal Takht on June 29, emphasising that the Akal Takht is the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs and that they will present themselves as humble Sikhs, the source added.