Chandigarh, Jan 6: Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj has summoned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to explain his “utterances against Sikh institutions”, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-controlled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
The latest flashpoint comes amid heightened tensions between AAP and SAD, which have been at loggerheads for nearly two months, particularly after the Akali Dal emerged as the main challenger to AAP in the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll.
AAP general secretary Baltej Pannu said the party respected the Akal Takht and the officiating Jathedar, and confirmed that Mann would comply with the directive. “The Chief Minister will appear before the Akal Takht Jathedar, as our other ministers who were summoned earlier have done,” he said, while accusing the SAD of using the SGPC as a political tool. The Akali leadership has rejected the charge.
Relations between the state government and the SGPC further deteriorated following the registration of an FIR in the case of 328 missing saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib. While Mann said the FIR was lodged on the demand of several Sikh organisations, the SGPC termed the move an interference in religious affairs and asked the government to stay out of the matter.
The Chief Minister later accused the SAD of trying to shield itself behind the SGPC to deflect allegations linked to the missing saroops. The FIR was registered at a time when the political fortunes of the Akali Dal were seen improving after its performance in the Tarn Taran bypoll.
Following the arrest of former SGPC auditor S S Kohli in the case, the investigation was reported to have widened to businesses linked to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, further sharpening political tensions.
It is against this backdrop that the Akal Takht has asked Mann to explain his remarks against Sikh institutions. The Chief Minister has announced that he will abide by the directions of the Akal Takht and appear before it on January 15, his office said.
