Amritsar, April 5
A piquant situation arose when Mr Manjit Singh
Calcutta today offered to step down as SGPC Secretary in the presence of Mr
Parkash Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal, when Mr Kirpal Singh
Badungar, a former SGPC chief, raised objections over the presenting of ‘siropa’
(robe of honour) to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh by him (Mr Calcutta) during
his recent visit to the Golden Temple.
The verbal tiff took place during the
informal meeting of the Executive Committee members of the SGPC belonging to SAD
(Badal) held at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, today.
However, Mr Calcutta justified
the presentation of the ‘siropa’ to the Chief Minister on the plea that it was
given to the state head who happened to be a Sikh while dignitaries belonging to
other religions too are honoured in the ‘guru ghar’.
Mr Calcutta told Mr
Badungar he (Mr Calcutta) was senior to him and hence Mr Badungar could not
question his decision.
Mr Calcutta said denying of ‘siropa’ to Capt Amarinder
Singh during the stint of Mr Badungar was wrong and he had never appreciated
such an approach.
While Mr Badungar had no words to justify his objection, Mr
Badal preferred to keep silent over the tiff.
