Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday questioned the silence of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee’s (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami over the statement of Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal to equate the election symbol of Shiromani Akali Dal with that of scales of Sikhs’ first master, Guru Nanak Dev.
“It is surprising that though Harsimrat Badal had bruised the psyche of every Sikh by giving such irresponsible and baseless statements, SGPC is mum over the issue. This reflects that Dhami is nothing more than a loyal volunteer of the Akali Dal in general and the Badal family in particular,” said Mann.
“It is surprising that the SGPC chief has turned a blind eye towards all the misdeeds of his masters thereby hurting the sentiments of the entire Sikh community,” said Mann.
The Chief Minister said that Harsimrat Badal’s statement came on the day of Maghi but the stoic silence of Dhami over the entire issue, even after passing of so many days, has vindicated his stand that SGPC chief “is merely a puppet in hands of Badals”.
“Surprisingly, the SGPC chief sees no wrong in all the haughty and mindless actions of the Badal family despite the fact that it is against the basic tenets of Sikhism,” said Mann, while cautioning the SGPC chief that the Sikh Sangat will not forgive him for this “policy of appeasement” towards their masters and will teach him a befitting lesson.
At the same time, the Chief Minister dared Dhami to come before the media and shield his masters and the Akali Dal for their sinister moves. “SGPC is most welcome to do his favourite pastime by alleging that the Chief Minister is interfering in the religious issues of the Sikhs. However, the people are aware of everything and they know it well that SGPC and its president is acting as a stooge of the family at the helm of affairs in SAD (Badal),” said Mann.