‘Many forces trying to weaken us’: Sukhbir Badal warns of threats to Sikh institutions, urges Panthic unity

The SAD chief asserted that only collective strength could help them regain political power and protect their institutions. “Have you ever heard Hindus, Christians and Muslims attacking their institutions? Have you heard them talking the way we are talking against our SGPC? I am saddened to note that only Sikhs are out to weaken their institutions.”

He said the SGPC is not anyone’s property; it is of the “quam”. “Many forces are trying to weaken the quam. Till we recognise these forces and counter them, we will not succeed. The same faith is being weakened for which the Guru sacrificed his head. The SAD was formed to safeguard Sikh interests. Real Akali Dal is SAD (Badal). Many forces are trying to destroy Sikh institutions,” Badal added.

Badal’s appeal for unity came a few days after the Tarn Taran Assembly byelection results, where the SAD came second. Another SAD faction leader, Mandeep Singh, secured a significant share of votes, and it was suggested that a united SAD could have won the contest, which was ultimately bagged by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Badal chose the occasion of 350th martyrdom day to give a call for unity. He alleged that attempts were being made across the country to bring Sikh institutions under government control. “It is only because of this division that they are trying to take control of Sikh institutions. Things have come to such a pass that Hazoor Sahib Committee earlier had five SGPC members, but now the Maharashtra government has taken control of Takht Hazoor Sahib. The Delhi Gurdwara Committee (DGSGMC) has also been taken over by the Union Government. They know the Sikh community draws its strength from Gurdwaras, and that is why they seek control,” he said.

He took a dig at the Centre for its bids to weaken the SGPC and criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for speaking against the Akal Takht Jathedar. “Who had the courage to do so earlier? Badal Sahib (former CM Parkash Singh Badal) used to say that for any religion to be strong, political power is a must.”

The SAD chief also mocked Mann, stating that the cities declared holy by him yesterday were actually declared holy by Parkash Singh Badal 15 years ago and claimed that major development in the area occurred during the Akali governments.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami slams Centre

Earlier, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami hit out at the Centre for “encroaching on Punjab’s rights”. “The issues of Panjab University, appointment of a lieutenant governor over Chandigarh, and deployment of CISF in Bhakra are examples of Delhi’s attempts to weaken Punjab,” he said.

Dhami said the Centre was trying to divide the Sikh Panth and asserted that the right to organise religious functions rested exclusively with the SGPC. “Despite the Centre creating the Haryana Committee and attempting interference in Sikh institutions, the SGPC and SAD have consistently stood firm to protect the rights of Sikhs across the country,” he said.

He announced that the SGPC would dedicate an entire year to spreading the teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur across the world through the Dharam Parchar Committee. He added that the SGPC had passed a resolution demanding the release of Bandi Singhs who had completed their sentences and revealed plans to construct a 1,000-room inn in honour of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Amritsar.

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