SGPC president criticises Modi government over rejection of meeting on Bandi Singhs’ release

Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s refusal to meet the committee formed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the release of Bandi Singhs.

Dhami accused the central government of adopting an indifferent stance, calling it a violation of human rights and an injustice to Sikhs. He said the SGPC has been making continuous efforts on the issue, but the government’s negative attitude remains a hurdle.

He said that a five-member committee was constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to address the case of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and other Bandi Singhs. However, he expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister had not granted time to meet the committee, despite Sri Akal Takht Sahib being the highest temporal authority of Sikhs.

According to Dhami, multiple attempts were made to secure a meeting with Modi over the past one-and-a-half years, but the response has been discouraging.

He said that the central government recently informed the SGPC that a meeting request made in December 2023 was rejected on March 21, 2025, citing that the matter was pending with the Union Home Ministry.

Dhami questioned why the government had not yet taken a decision on Rajoana’s case despite Supreme Court orders. He said the Prime Minister’s Office had earlier directed discussions with the Home Minister, but no positive response was received.

He urged the government to take an immediate decision, stating that the cases of Bandi Singhs are deeply linked to Sikh sentiments and that the prisoners have already served long sentences. He added that justice should be enforced uniformly, and political considerations should not interfere with the process.