Amritsar: In the case concerning 328 sacred saroops (scriptures) of Guru Granth Sahib , the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami alleged that the government is challenging the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib by registering FIR against the certain employees of SGPC.
Addressing the press conference here today, Dhami raised questions over the Punjab Government and said that despite the government having accepted before the High Court that the SGPC is a competent institution and is authorised to take action in its administrative matters, the registration of an FIR proves the government’s political intent. He said that by doing so, the government is also challenging the authority of Akal Takht Sahib, because the investigation by Dr. Ishar Singh was conducted on the directions of Akal Takht Sahib, and it was Akal Takht Sahib itself which, on the basis of the investigation report, directed the SGPC to take action.
He said that the SGPC implemented the recommendations of Dr Ishar Singh’s investigation report in letter and spirit and has already taken action against every employee, from the lowest to the highest ranks, after which there is no justification for interference by the government or the police. He said that the High Court order being cited by the Punjab Government to justify the registration of the FIR actually includes an affidavit by the government itself stating that the jurisdiction lies with the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission. Thereafter, the Hon’ble Court had asked the petitioner to file a reply, during the hearing of which the petitioner’s counsel mentioned a letter written by the Home Secretary to the DGP, following which the court dismissed the petition. There was no direction anywhere in the order to register an FIR.
He said this clearly exposes the government’s double standards. He said, because on one hand the government is acknowledging the SGPC as a competent body authorised to take action, while on the other hand it is getting an FIR registered on the false pretext of a court order. He termed this a political move by the Mann government, which has made its interference in Sikh affairs evident.
Referring to another case pending in the High Court since 2021, Dhami said that even in that matter, the then government had taken the stand that under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, the SGPC is decisive in its own administrative affairs. In that case, the government had clearly stated that it is not appropriate for the government to interfere in the service rules of a Sikh institution. He added that the case is still pending before the court.
Mentioning an application submitted to the Police Commissioner by one of the accused in the case, Jujhar Singh, Dhami said that after the SGPC presented its stand, the Police Commissioner closed the matter, citing it as an administrative issue of the SGPC. From all these actions of the government, it is clear that this is an administrative matter of the SGPC, in which there is no justification for interference by the government or the police.
He said that the Bhagwant Mann government is deliberately trying to create confusion about the Sikh institution, which will not be accepted. Advocate Dhami stated that in accordance with the directions of Akal Takht Sahib, the government will not be allowed to interfere in the affairs of Sikh institutions. He said that the matter is extremely serious, and the SGPC has shown no leniency towards anyone, nor will it do so in the future.
He categorically said that the SGPC is not supporting any accused, and the false propaganda being spread in this regard will not be tolerated. He said that protecting those against whom action has already been taken has never been the objective of the SGPC. He reiterated that the resolution through which legal action had earlier been approved was withdrawn in a subsequent resolution, on the advice of experts, and the decision was taken to proceed with action by the SGPC itself. All actions were completed accordingly.
He further said that even after some employees approached the High Court, and in compliance with the court’s directions, the concerned employees were reinstated and then suspended again with immediate effect, and till date no favouritism has been shown to anyone. This has been the commitment of the Sikh institution and will always remain so.
Speaking about CA Satinder Singh Kohli, the SGPC President said that a case for recovery of money is ongoing before the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission, with the next date fixed in January 2026. He said that the SGPC has never shown any laxity in this matter, and follow-up action was initiated immediately after the decision of the Commission. Strict action is continuing in this regard.
Dhami said that the Aam Aadmi Party came to power by doing politics over cases of sacrilege, but after failing on that front, it is now indulging in politics by going against its own affidavits filed in courts. He added that the Punjab Government is even silent in the case of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. While the SGPC has approached the High Court and the Supreme Court to oppose the parole and furlough being granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab, by maintaining silence, is indirectly helping him.
