Amritsar: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has once again stirred controversy by making sharp remarks targeting Sikh religious institutions, raising questions over the functioning of jathedars and the leadership of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), despite having recently assured restraint on such statements.
Addressing a state-level programme at the grain market in Majitha constituency of Amritsar, Mann made remarks perceived as objectionable by religious and political circles. His comments questioned the manner in which jathedars are appointed or replaced and how religious pardons are granted or withdrawn, triggering strong reactions from panthic organisations.
The controversy gains significance as the Chief Minister had appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15, where he publicly assured that he would refrain from making such statements in the future. At that time, Mann had said he appeared as a humble Sikh and held no intention of challenging the authority of the Akal Takht, stating that any decision taken by the Sikh clergy would be accepted with full respect.
However, during the Majitha event, Mann alleged that he was being falsely accused of interfering in religious matters. He stated that he neither had the authority nor the intention to do so, instead accusing others of misusing religious institutions for personal and political interests. He claimed that the manipulation of jathedar appointments and religious decisions had been carried out by others long before.
The Chief Minister also made pointed remarks about SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, suggesting that if Dhami wished to pursue active politics, he should first step down from his position. Mann alleged that for years, political narratives were built by misleading people, but now contradictions within those statements were exposing the truth.
Reacting sharply to Mann’s comments, SGPC executive committee member Gurpreet Singh Jabbar condemned the Chief Minister’s remarks, calling them disrespectful and irresponsible. He said such statements undermine the sanctity of Sikh institutions and fuel unnecessary tension between the government and religious bodies.
Earlier, following Mann’s appearance before the Akal Takht, acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj had informed the media that the Chief Minister had expressed regret over his past remarks on religious matters and had assured that he would avoid such commentary in the future.
The latest remarks, however, have reignited political and religious debate in Punjab, with panthic groups demanding consistency and accountability from the Chief Minister.
