Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday criticised Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal over his remarks regarding the December 2, 2024 orders of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, stating that such statements undermine the authority of the highest temporal seat of the Sikh Panth and amount to a direct attack on its sanctity and the collective sentiments of the community. He asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme spiritual and temporal authority of the Panth, and every edict issued from it is a divine command that cannot be questioned with “buts” and “ifs,” adding that those who challenge its authority cannot claim to represent the Panth.
Calling for immediate intervention, he urged acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to take strict notice of an attack on the Takht. In the same context, Harjot Singh Bains also pointed to political interference in religious and heritage matters, stating that the SGPC altered nearly 90 per cent of the Sri Anandpur Sahib Heritage Street project to deny credit to the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann government, and asserted that the people will remember who ultimately blocked a project of deep religious and cultural significance.
Reacting to Sukhbir Singh Badal’s statement suggesting that “agencies” influenced the decisions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “To say Sri Akal Takht Sahib decisions were influenced by agencies is the most disgraceful statement any so-called Sikh leader could make.”
He added, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the ultimate seat of spiritual and temporal authority for the Sikh Panth. Every edict issued from there is a divine order and cannot be questioned with ‘buts’ and ‘ifs’.”
Issuing a strong warning, he stated, “Whoever raises a question on the order issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib will be answerable to the Guru Sahib.”
Appealing to the acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Sukhbir Singh Badal has attacked Sri Akal Takht Sahib with his words. This is an invasion on our faith. Any Sikh who does not accept the Akal Takht’s edict or questions its authority forfeits their right to be called a Sikh. Action must be taken against him.”
He further noted that former Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had also condemned Sukhbir Singh Badal’s statement and called upon the Panth to stand united against any attempt to question the authority of the Takht.
Responding to a media query regarding the Sri Anandpur Sahib Heritage Street project, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) stalled the project due to political considerations, fearing that the credit would go to others. “I was assigned to the Tourism Department for two months. With great enthusiasm, we prepared the Heritage Street project for Sri Anandpur Sahib. It was vetted by the SGPC. Even today, a model of the project, including a Deodi, lies in front of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib,” he said.
He stated, “The SGPC altered 90 per cent of the original design of the heritage street project for political reasons, as the SGPC did not want the credit to go elsewhere, neither to Harjot Singh Bains nor to CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.”
Highlighting inconsistencies, he added, “A similar Deodi structure was already built at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. Then why was 90 per cent of the approved design changed? But as I have said, whatever the SGPC President or the Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib decide is a divine order for us. It was my heartfelt wish to see that project through.”
He explained that the proposed corridor aimed to connect Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, the site where the ninth Guru’s holy head was cremated, a place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji paid obeisance daily while residing in Sri Anandpur Sahib. “We accept the Sikh body decision wholeheartedly. Now the decision will be made by the Qaum and the people of Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Sikh Qaum will always remember that the SGPC did not let it happen,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the changes, Harjot Singh Bains stated, “The current incline to Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib is too steep. I had planned stairs, a lift and an open way for Nagar Kirtan. Today, neither elderly nor many others can climb the slope, but it’s okay, whatever the SGPC orders.” He confirmed that the project will now be executed from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Qila Anandgarh Sahib.
