How Is Sukhbir Badal’s PA Drafting Policy Statements in the Name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib? Jathedar Must Act : Gurjeet Singh Talwandi

How Is Sukhbir Badal’s PA Drafting Policy Statements in the Name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib? Jathedar Must Act : Gurjeet Singh Talwandi

SGPC Must Immediately Clarify Statements Allegedly Drafted by Sukhbir Badal and Issued Through His “Patit” PA

Chandigarh 2 August ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Youth President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet), Gurjeet Singh Talwandi, has raised serious questions over alleged policy statements and press releases being issued in the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He said that if these statements are official decisions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, then the process through which they are drafted, approved and issued must be made clear. However, if these statements are being influenced by any political faction, it constitutes an extremely serious matter. Talwandi said that any question being raised over the credibility, sanctity and authenticity of a policy or directive issued in the name of the entire Khalsa Panth is a matter of grave concern for the entire Sikh community. He questioned: “Who has authorised Sukhbir Badal and his surrounding ‘patit coterie’ to determine the policies of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib?” If policy statements or directives are being issued in the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib for the entire Sikh Sangat and Khalsa Panth, is this being done with the knowledge and approval of the Jathedar Sahib?

He said that any attempt by the leader of a political faction or his personal staff to use the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to influence Panthic policies and directives is an extremely serious matter. Gurjeet Singh Talwandi directly questioned the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib: Is this “press statement”, issued in the name of the entire Khalsa Panth, within the knowledge and approval of the Jathedar Sahib? If not, who is issuing such statements in the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and under whose authority? If even press releases are being scripted by Sukhbir Badal, then the Sikh Sangat must also be told what other Panthic decisions and policies are being influenced or scripted. How has the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee allowed such interference to take place in the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib? When will this process of bringing Sikh institutions under the influence of a political faction and systematically weakening them finally stop? And most importantly: Will the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib now take action in this matter—or not?

Talwandi said that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is not the property of any individual, family or political faction; it is the supreme institution of the entire Khalsa Panth. Therefore, accountability and transparency are essential in every statement and directive issued in its name. He said that if no action is taken even after evidence has been brought before the authorities, an even more serious question will arise among the Sikh Sangat: Who, ultimately, is running the institutions associated with Sri Akal Takht Sahib? “Jathedar Sahib, here is the evidence. Now the Sangat demands an answer—when will action be taken?” Talwandi said. He demanded that the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib immediately order an inquiry into the matter, make public the authorised procedure for issuing statements in the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and, if any individual or faction has interfered without authority or misused the name of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, take strict action against those responsible in accordance with Panthic Maryada. The issue is no longer merely about one press release—it is about the autonomy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the sanctity of Sikh institutions, and the credibility of the entire Khalsa Panth.