Chandigarh: A new round of confrontation is brewing between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Aam Aadmi Party–led Punjab government following the Akal Takht’s decision to convene a special meeting of the Sikh clergy on December 28. The development comes days after the state constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the registration of an FIR against 16 SGPC officials.
The emergency meeting of the five Sikh high priests will be chaired by Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who is currently serving as the acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht. The timing of the gathering has been viewed by the SGPC as a direct response to the government’s investigative action.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami criticised the state’s move, describing it as an encroachment on the authority of the Akal Takht, regarded as the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. Dhami maintained that the matter had already been examined internally by a three-member inquiry committee appointed by the Akal Takht, led by Ishar Singh, and that corrective steps were taken against those found responsible.
According to the SGPC, the issue pertains to administrative and financial lapses rather than sacrilege. Dhami said the organisation had passed a resolution in its general house and formally sought forgiveness from the Khalsa Panth, asserting that religious protocols had been followed.
The controversy escalated earlier this month when Amritsar Police registered two separate FIRs. One relates to the alleged disappearance of the 328 saroops and names 16 current SGPC employees and office-bearers. The second case involves two retired SGPC officials accused of approving the publication of a Hindi book titled Sikh Itihas, which was later withdrawn and banned by the SGPC.
Strained relations between the SGPC and the state government have been evident for weeks. On November 20, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann questioned the legitimacy of Giani Gargaj’s appointment as acting Jathedar, remarks that were firmly rejected by the Akal Takht.
Tensions were further aggravated earlier this year following a controversy surrounding a government-organised event in Srinagar to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. A viral video showing a dance performance at the programme drew sharp criticism from Sikh religious leaders. Subsequently, the Akal Takht directed the state government to support Sikh institutions like the SGPC in organising religious events, while urging it to focus on civic infrastructure around historic gurdwaras instead.
As the Akal Takht prepares to deliberate on the latest developments, the unfolding situation signals yet another chapter in the ongoing power struggle between religious authorities and the state government in Punjab.
