Questions have been raised over our administration, yet our own committee will conduct the inquiry.

Questions have been raised over our administration, yet our own committee will conduct the inquiry. The Sangat has been asked to remain silent for fifteen days. Wah, Dhami Sahib, what authoritarianism!” : Giani Harpreet Singh

Chandigarh 22 September ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : President of the Shiromani Akali Dal Punar-surjit, Giani Harpreet Singh, reacting to the statement issued by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami regarding the alleged sexual exploitation case in Sri Anandpur Sahib, sarcastically said that Dhami Sahib appears to be saying: “Our Gurdwara Sahib administration is ours, the members accused are ours, and the woman stayed for six months in a sarai under our management. The Sangat is seeking answers from us, so our own committee will conduct the inquiry. No member from the opposition has been included in the committee. In other words, the accused are ours, the inquiry is ours, and the decision will also be ours. The Sangat has simply been advised to remain silent for fifteen days. Very well, Dhami Sahib.” Giani Harpreet Singh said that reports have emerged that the woman staying in a room at the VIP Sarai was provided a vehicle, driver and sewadars, while the SGPC President has stated that he had no knowledge of these arrangements. He asked Dhami to explain who, apart from him, holds such authority within the Gurdwara administration to approve and provide all these facilities to the woman. He said that the Manager of Takht Kesgarh Sahib could not have taken such a decision on his own.

Giani Harpreet Singh further said that responsible leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) have allegedly stated, while claiming to have evidence, that the woman’s conduct was inappropriate. He questioned that if the decision to accommodate the woman in the sarai for several months was taken without the President’s knowledge, then Dhami Sahib should immediately step aside from the post of SGPC President. He said that the woman has already recorded her statement before a magistrate, stating that she had approached Dhami Sahib through his PA. He further questioned why a woman leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) recently brought the woman before the media and appeared to be in such haste to record a video statement in which she said that the SAD President and SGPC President had helped her greatly.

Giani Harpreet Singh questioned Dhami Sahib’s statement that he had met the woman only once or twice. He asked why Dhami did not ask her who had authorised her to leave her home and stay in the VIP Sarai while receiving various facilities. “Dhami Sahib will have to answer the Sangat on these questions and explain what is being concealed behind this entire episode,” Giani Harpreet Singh said. He added that it was precisely in response to such incidents of alleged misconduct that their ancestors had launched the Gurdwara Reform Movement.