Delhi gurdwara panel says SGPC using Guru Granth Sahib as ‘shield’ to help SAD illegally occupy portion of shrine

Both the SGPC and the Akali Dal had spoken against taking the holy book to the protest sites with SAD chief Sukhbir Badal accusing the self styled Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh of committing-a “sacrilege” at Ajnala by trying to use “Guru Granth Sahib as a shield for selfish motives

Written by: Kamaldeep Singh Brar

3 min readChandigarhMar 14, 2023 07:35 AM IST

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Delhi gurdwara panel says SGPC using Guru Granth Sahib as ‘shield’ to help SAD illegally occupy portion of shrine

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Amid a raging debate over taking the ‘bir’ (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib to protest sites, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has alleged that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was using the holy book to help Shiromani Akali Dal occupy a portion of the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi.

Both the SGPC and the Akali Dal had spoken against taking the holy book to the protest sites with SAD chief Sukhbir Badal accusing the self styled Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh of committing-a “sacrilege” at Ajnala by trying to use “Guru Granth Sahib as a shield for selfish motives and by taking the sacred scripture to a police station” last month.

Following the incident Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of Sikhs — had formed a 16-member subcommittee to decide if the Guru Granth Sahib can be taken to protest sites, demonstrations and places where there is apprehension that the holy book can be disrespected.

Subcommittee coordinator Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad handed over the sealed report to the Jathedar on Sunday. Sources said that most of the members on panel have recommended against taking the holy book to protest sites. Peer Mohammad, however, declined to share information about the report, saying it was the prerogative of the Jathedar.

Peer Mohammad said he and his panel members met academics, scholars and leaders of religious outfits, including Nihang Singh organisation sects such as Dasmesh Tarna Dal, Damdami Taksal, Sikh Missionary College – Rupnagar, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle – Ludhiana and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

An Akal Takht secretariat official said a decision on the issue will be announced after the ‘Panj Singh Sahiban’ or five Sikh high priests discuss the report.

Meanwhile, the DSGMC has accused the SGPC of using the Guru Granth Sahib help Akali Dal to maintain the possession on a portion of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj.

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Talking to The Indian Express, DSGMC member Bhupinder Singh Bhullar said, “SAD lost its majority in the DSGMC House in January 21, 2022. Before that, Akali Dal was running an office in a portion of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj. The party was asked to vacate the portion after Harmeet Singh Kalka became the DSGMC president. A complaint was also filed with the Delhi Police as SAD refused to vacate the premises”.

“After police compliant was made, the SGPC installed the bir of the Guru Granth Sahib in that office. Now, we are not doing anything to take possession of that part of Gurdwara building to maintain the ‘maryada’ (honour) of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is clear case of SGPC and Akali Dal using the holy book as a shield to illegal occupy a part of the gurdwara”.

Reached for comments, Akali Dal’s Delhi unit president Paramjit Singh Sarna said, “The SGPC president had installed the Guru Granth Sahib to pray for release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners). He can answer on this. But Harmeet Singh Kalka will soon be removed as the president DSGMC”.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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