“Issues concerning the sanctity and functioning of Sikh institutions should be investigated under the supervision of respected personalities of the Sikh community, rather than being handed over to central agencies” — Bapu Tarsem Singh
“We reject the inquiry committee constituted by the SGPC as well as the demand for a CBI probe; the entire matter should be investigated under the supervision of respected, Panth-approved Sikh personalities” — Manpreet Singh Ayali
Sri Amritsar Sahib: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal are fully responsible for bringing disgrace upon the Sikh community following the deeply distressing incidents, including allegations of rape, reported at the sarais of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa. The addition of such a shameful chapter to the proud history of the Sikh community has caused immense anguish and embarrassment among Sikhs worldwide.
Expressing these sentiments, Bapu Tarsem Singh, Acting President of Akali Dal "Waris Punjab De," and Sardar Manpreet Singh Ayali raised strong objections to the statements of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami advocating the transfer of an investigation regarding incidents within the management of the Sikh community to central agencies.
In his statement, Bapu Tarsem Singh said that nothing could be worse than an incident that has brought distress to the Sikh community across the globe.
He said SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami had publicly acknowledged that he was a “soldier of Sukhbir Badal.” Therefore, expecting him to demonstrate independent responsibility towards the Sikh community or accountability to the Panth on matters concerning SGPC administration and the wider Sikh community would, he said, be a serious mistake.
Bapu Tarsem Singh outrightly rejected the advocacy made today by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, following the SGPC executive committee meeting, to hand over the investigation of the FIR registered in the Chawla rape case to the CBI.
Bapu Tarsem Singh said the Sikh community had undertaken major struggles in the past to free the SGPC and Sikh institutions from government interference. He said it was deeply unfortunate and shameful that the SGPC President was now himself advocating a CBI investigation into an incident that occurred under the administration and responsibility of the Shiromani Committee.
Bapu Tarsem Singh asserted that the Sikh community is fully capable of investigating this deeply unfortunate and shameful incident itself. Hence, they demand that an inquiry committee be formed under the leadership of highly respected, Panth-approved personalities and that a time-bound investigation be carried out. To ensure he does not influence the investigation in any way while it is underway, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami should submit his resignation to the Sikh Sangat. Bapu Tarsem Singh added that the stagnation in the SGPC’s management is entirely responsible for this massive incident; therefore, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami must step down on moral grounds.
In his statement, Sardar Manpreet Singh Ayali rejected the inquiry committee constituted by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami. He also rejected the demand to hand over the case to the CBI for investigating the circumstances and events connected with the FIR registered in the Chawla rape case. Sardar Manpreet Singh Ayali said the Sikh community would not tolerate the SGPC’s politicalisation being further turned into an object of ridicule by placing its affairs in the hands of central agencies.
Launching a strong verbal attack, he said that the issue today was not merely about the rape case; rather, the larger question was the complete erosion of the Sikh community’s trust in its apex religious institution. With no SGPC elections held for the past fifteen years, the administration remains in the hands of individuals who are no longer accountable or responsible to the Sikh community.
Sardar Manpreet Singh Ayali demanded that, understanding the gravity of the matter, Harjinder Singh Dhami must resign immediately, and a general session of the Shiromani Committee should be convened to form an inquiry committee under the supervision of eminent, Panth-approved figures reflecting the sentiments of the Sikh Sangat.
"We reject the inquiry committee formed by the SGPC as well as the advocacy to transfer the investigation to the CBI," he concluded.
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