The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has put on hold its plan to install a portrait of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the Central Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple, the move coming allegedly after death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana raised objections.
SGPC secretary Partap Singh Friday said that the apex gurdwara body’s Executive Committee in a meeting on May 13 had approved a proposal to install the portrait of Dr Singh, the former prime minister who passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, 2024.
‟SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has, however, ordered the matter to be put on hold for the time being following objections raised by various groups,” Partap Singh said.
Sources within the SGPC said that apart from Rajoana, some radical groups too opposed the installation of the former PM’s portrait. Rajoana, sentenced to death for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and currently lodged in Patiala Jail, wrote a letter to Dhami expressing his dissent with SGPC’s decision.
“Dr Manmohan Singh represented a political party, which I hold responsible for atrocities against Sikhs. The Congress party, under which Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister, is responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Installing his portrait in a museum that represents Sikh martyrdom and pride is inappropriate and unacceptable,” wrote Rajoana.
Asking the SGPC to review its decision, Rajoana further wrote that Congress was also guilty of safeguarding the culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and thus ‟there is no justification for Dr Manmohan Singh’s portrait in a Sikh museum”.
Radival Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa in its objection accused Dr Manmohan Singh of not doing much for the community despite remaining Prime Minister for two terms.
Partap Singh said, ‟The SGPC respects the sentiments of the Sikh community and believes that a general consensus among Sikhs is essential on this matter”
He further said the decision regarding the portrait will be reconsidered in a future meeting of the Executive Committee.
