Amritsar: A political storm erupted in Punjab after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was presented with a Siropa (robe of honour) during his visit to Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib Ji on Sunday. Gandhi was in the region to assess the situation in flood-affected areas, but the religious gesture sparked sharp objections from several Sikh groups.
The matter quickly reached the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which issued a late-night statement confirming that it has taken cognizance of the incident.
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said a fact-finding inquiry has been initiated. “The interim committee of the SGPC had clearly resolved that Siropa may only be offered to eminent Sikh personalities, religious preachers, or historical figures of the Panth. Extending this honor to political leaders is against established tradition,” Dhami stressed.
According to Dhami, a detailed report is being compiled regarding the sequence of events at Baba Budha Sahib Gurdwara. “Once responsibility is fixed, strict disciplinary action will follow. Such acts, which compromise Sikh maryada (code of conduct), will not be tolerated,” he added.
Sikh organizations opposing the gesture have argued that bestowing the Siropa upon a member of the Gandhi family disregards the community’s painful history and diminishes the sanctity of the practice.
The SGPC has assured the Sikh sangat that the dignity of gurdwaras will be preserved and necessary corrective steps will be taken.
