Amritsar: The ongoing debate surrounding the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) probe into the Behbal Kalan firing case intensified on Sunday after former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh strongly responded to criticism from Giani Harpreet Singh regarding his recent interaction with investigators.
The controversy erupted after reports emerged that the SIT had met Giani Raghbir Singh in connection with its investigation. Giani Harpreet Singh had objected to the development, maintaining that proceedings and decisions taken at Sri Akal Takht Sahib should not be treated as evidence in legal inquiries.
Addressing the issue, Giani Raghbir Singh dismissed the criticism and claimed that the allegations against him were politically motivated. He asserted that the SIT had visited his residence only to seek information related to the proceedings conducted at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 2, 2024.
According to him, he merely informed the investigators that all relevant information regarding those proceedings was already available in the public domain. He said details could be accessed through media reports, social media platforms, and official records maintained by the Akal Takht Secretariat.
Questioning the objections raised against him, Giani Raghbir Singh pointed out that the SIT had previously recorded a statement from Giani Harpreet Singh at his Bathinda residence during its investigation into the disappearance of 328 Guru Granth Sahib saroops. He asked why that interaction was considered acceptable while his own meeting with the investigators had become a matter of controversy.
In a sharp response, Giani Raghbir Singh suggested that Giani Harpreet Singh appeared to be influenced by political considerations. He remarked that religion should guide political conduct rather than politics influencing religious matters, emphasizing the need for spiritual principles to remain paramount.
The exchange has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing discussion over the role of Sikh religious institutions and their relationship with legal investigations. The issue has sparked widespread debate within Panthic circles, with differing opinions emerging on the balance between religious autonomy and legal accountability.
Meanwhile, Giani Harpreet Singh has maintained that his concerns are rooted in religious protocol and institutional principles. He has reiterated that his objections are not personal in nature but are aimed at safeguarding the sanctity and independence of decisions taken by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
As the war of words between the two prominent Sikh figures continues, the controversy is expected to remain a subject of intense discussion within the Sikh community and beyond.
