Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday questioned the continued silence of Akali Dal (Badal) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, as well as BJP leaders, over the allegations surrounding the woman and the FIR registered in connection with the matter. He said that while these leaders remained active in rallies and political programmes, they had not come forward to answer the questions being raised about the incident.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Akali Dal (Badal) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Majithia, Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, as well as BJP leaders, should answer the questions being raised about this matter. They remain active in rallies and political programmes, but when it comes to answering questions about the FIR and the woman’s stay in the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC)-run sarai, they maintain silence.”
“Why are Congress and BJP representatives not even participating in television debates on this issue? If they have nothing to hide and believe they have answers to the questions being raised across Punjab, they should come forward and answer them,” he said.
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge pointed out, “SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami appeared after nearly a month, but instead of facing the media and answering questions, he issued a video statement. The question is simple: why did Harjinder Singh Dhami not come before journalists and answer the questions being raised about the matter?”
He said, “Harjinder Singh Dhami should also disclose how many gurdwaras under the SGPC have put up boards concerning persons who have been excommunicated. He should also answer the questions surrounding the incident at the sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib.”
Baltej Pannu noted, “According to the FIR, Akali Dal Badal leader Amarjit Singh Chawla is an accused in the case. The public wants to know how a woman could stay in an SGPC-run sarai for more than six months. Who arranged her stay? Who arranged the rooms? How were SGPC staff and other facilities allegedly provided to her? These questions cannot be avoided by issuing a video statement.”
He reasoned, “Harjinder Singh Dhami should come before the press and answer these questions. These are not questions being raised by one journalist or one television channel. These are questions being raised across Punjab and among members of the Sikh community.”
“Whenever questions were raised earlier about alleged irregularities involving dry rotis, vegetables during the Covid period and ghee, Harjinder Singh Dhami had described such matters as ‘small scams’ that kept happening. Files relating to alleged irregularities were also submitted to the Akal Takht Jathedar, but questions remained unanswered,” said Baltej Pannu.
The AAP Media In-charge asserted, “The latest incident has raised further questions about what was happening inside the SGPC-run sarai and who facilitated the woman’s stay there. The SGPC administration must explain how such a situation continued for months and who was responsible for providing the rooms and facilities.”
Baltej Pannu also questioned the conduct of Akali Dal Badal leaders after the woman approached the police and an FIR was registered. “Instead of answering questions about the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the FIR, some Shiromani Akali Dal leaders are making personal and derogatory remarks about the woman on television channels. The focus should be on establishing the facts through the investigation, not on targeting the woman,” he said.
“The woman has herself stated that she handed over her phone to the police and asked the investigators to examine and make public whatever chats, photographs or other material are relevant to the investigation. If there is material relevant to the case, let the investigating agency examine it and establish the facts,” he added.
Baltej Pannu pointed out, “Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal have not held a press conference on this issue. Bikram Majithia and other opposition leaders have also remained silent. The public deserves answers about who arranged the woman’s stay, who provided the rooms and facilities, and what role different Akali Dal Badal functionaries played in the matter.”.
Addressing SGPC President,Baltej Pannu demanded, “Harjinder Singh Dhami must explain why he chose to issue a video statement instead of appearing before journalists and taking questions. The administration of the SGPC-run sarai has to explain how a woman was able to stay there for more than six months and who facilitated this arrangement.”
Baltej Pannu said the incident had also raised questions about the functioning and autonomy of religious institutions. “The Sikh community and the people of Punjab have every right to ask questions about the functioning of religious institutions. There are serious questions about the excessive control exercised by the Badal family over these institutions. Sikh intellectuals and the wider Punjabi community should speak up on this issue,” he said.
“Religious institutions belong to the Sikh community and their functioning must remain transparent and accountable. Prolonged political control over religious institutions can further damage public trust in them,” concluded Baltej Pannu.
