In a watershed moment, Akal Takht’s jathedar (head priest) Giani Raghbir Singh has delivered a verdict holding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann “guilty of religious misconduct” in connection with the firing incident that unfolded at Gurudwara Akal Bunga in Kapurthala in November 2023.
The clash between Punjab Police and a group of Nihangs resulted in the tragic death of a Punjab Police home guard and left several others injured.
The secretariat of Akal Takht Sahib — the Sikhs’ highest temporal seat — on Sunday released an official statement announcing the verdict based on the report submitted by a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sub-committee. The report investigated the alleged breach of decorum during the police intervention at Gurudwara Akal Bunga Cantonment Nihang Singhan in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala.
According to the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat, the sub-committee’s findings indicate that the police conducted a massive and “unwarranted attack” on the gurdwara without provocation or justification. The actions of firing, entering the Gurdwara Sahib wearing shoes, and disrupting the ongoing Sri Akhand Path Sahib by releasing tear gas shells were deemed egregious violations that deeply hurt Sikh sentiments, disrupting decency and sanctity.
Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, in a statement, declared, “According to the report of the sub-committee, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for the police’s actions. The CM has been found directly guilty of religious misconduct for the breach of decorum and indiscriminate firing.”
The incident reportedly occurred when a police squad went to the gurdwara to settle a dispute between two Nihang factions. However, the situation escalated, leading to the regrettable clash.
The Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat emphasized that the firing incident, the disregard for the sanctity of the gurdwara, and the disruption of religious proceedings were severe transgressions that warranted strong action. The announcement of the guilt of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has stirred significant debate and reactions within political and religious circles.
The Jathedar's pronouncement underscored the authority and sanctity of Akal Takht, the highest seat of authority in Sikhism. It plays a crucial role in adjudicating matters related to the Sikh community and maintaining the discipline and integrity of the faith.
The statement further highlighted that the firing and the entry of police into the Gurdwara Sahib wearing shoes were actions that deeply hurt Sikh sentiments. Such acts were considered a breach of decorum and an affront to the sanctity of the religious site. The disruption of the Sri Akhand Path Sahib — a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib — further compounded the gravity of the situation.
Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh expressed, “Firing, breaking the dignity by entering the Gurdwara Sahib with the police wearing shoes, and disrupting the Sri Akhand Path Sahib going on inside the Gurdwara Sahib by releasing tear gas shells was an act that deeply hurt Sikh sentiments by disrupting decency and sanctity.”
The investigation by the SGPC sub-committee, whose findings formed the basis of the Jathedar's decision, aimed to impartially assess the events surrounding the clash. The sub-committee comprised members with expertise in Sikh religious matters and community affairs.
The incident had sparked public outrage and demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the clash.
In the aftermath of the incident, Chief Minister had announced compensation for the family of the deceased home guard, Jaspal Singh, from Maniala in Kapurthala. The compensation amount was set at Rs two crore as a gesture of acknowledgment for the tragic loss.