Sukhbir Badal, SGPC chief submit sealed ‘clarifications’ to Akal Takht Jathedar

GS Paul

Amritsar, July 24

Abiding by the directions of Akal Takht, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami today submitted their written ‘clarifications’ about the allegations levelled by a group of disgruntled Akali leaders. The clarifications were submitted in sealed envelopes to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. The Jathedar said clarifications had been received and the decision would be taken only after consulting the five high priests.

“The envelopes will be opened in the presence of the high priests. The decision will be taken only after going through the contents of the letters and holding discussions with the high priests, who will meet soon,” he said.

While Sukhbir refrained from commenting, Dhami said they were bound to obey the orders of Akal Takht.

“We are prepared to face any action, as deemed fit by Akal Takht,” he added.

On July 1, a group of disgruntled Akalis — including Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Karnail Singh Panjauli and Manjit Singh — had approached Akal Takht with an ‘admission of guilt’ and filed a joint letter of apology.

A fortnight later, Sukhbir was summoned by the five high priests at Akal Takht in person to respond to the rebels’ confession.

The SGPC was questioned by the rebel Akalis for allegedly misusing Rs 91 lakh of ‘golak’ money (money offered by devotees) on advertisements to justify the controversial exoneration to Sirsa dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015.

Both were given 15 days to clarify their stance in writing.

Meanwhile, the rebel Akalis, in a joint letter, held Sukhbir, the then state Home Minister, responsible for the inappropriate decisions leading to the party’s political debacle. In the letter, they mentioned four major “mistakes” that led to the Sikh-centric regional party’s debacle, politically and religiously.

First, the flip-flop exoneration of Sirsa dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim and the SGPC’s move to justify the pardon by releasing media advertisements worth Rs 91 lakh. Second, a series of sacrilege incidents in 2015 at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala and Bargari. Third, an IPS officer who was infamous for fake encounters of Sikh youngsters being given a top position in the state Police Department.

Similarly, the wife of another controversial police officer was given the ticket for the Assembly elections and was awarded the post of Chief Parliamentary Secretary. Last, justice was never delivered to the victims of fake encounter cases.

Bone of contention: Dera chief’s pardon

• On September 24, 2015, the then five high priests had issued a ‘gurmata’ to pardon the Sirsa dera chief for his allegedly blasphemous act of wearing an attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh in 2007
• Five days later, the SGPC held a House meeting headed by then SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar to stamp the decision
• The meeting was attended by around 55 of the 180-odd SGPC members, but the consent of some members was reportedly taken through mobile phones to ‘justify’ the quorum of 75 members