Bathinda: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday asserted that Akal Takht was supreme for every Punjabi and Sikh, but some people were attempting to misuse the revered institution for vested interests. Calling for immediate elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the CM said Punjab could no longer afford to let religious institutions remain under the grip of those who exploited faith for political gains and patronised mafias that pushed the state into decline.Mann stated, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is considered the highest temporal seat of the community. It is a highly revered place from where every Sikh derives divine peace and power. I bowed before Sri Akal Takht Sahib because it is supreme for every Punjabi in general and Sikhs in particular”.He stated “I have written to the Government of India that it has been 14 years since elections were held for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The organisation is in dire straits today.”Slamming the opposition in Punjab, Mann said traditional political parties were spreading a “malicious propaganda” because they were afraid of being exposed before the people. “All the traditional parties have united against me to stop me from working for the welfare of the people. However, their actions will never deter me from serving Punjab and its people,” he added.
