Amritsar: A group of members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj to summon Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal to the Akal Takht over his recent remarks allegedly describing the Dec 2, 2024, ‘hukamnama’ (edict) as a “conspiracy”.The ‘hukamnama’ had held the SAD leadership, including Badal, accountable for alleged religious and political misconduct during their tenure and pronounced religious atonement. Leading the delegation, SGPC member Mithu Singh Kahaneke, met the officiating jathedar and submitted a memorandum. The delegation maintained that Sukhbir Badal’s statement amounted to undermining the sanctity and authority of the Akal Takht. “Such utterances belittle the supreme authority of the Takht and constitute a grave violation of Sikh maryada (religious code of conduct),” Kahaneke alleged. The controversy has its roots in Badal’s earlier statements in which he reportedly labelled the Dec 2 edict as part of a “conspiracy”, igniting debate and disquiet among Sikh institutions and political stakeholders. Reacting strongly at the time, former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had rejected the claim, asserting that the proceedings were conducted in accordance with established Sikh traditions. Raghbir Singh had clarified that the Akal Takht had duly summoned SAD leaders, who appeared before the Sikh high priests, acknowledged their actions, and were subsequently awarded ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) in line with panthic norms. He also maintained that the edict was neither arbitrary nor politically motivated but rooted firmly in religious discipline and accountability. MSID:: 130552522 413 |
