Call to Liberate SGPC from Badal Family at Panthic Akali Lehar gathering

Chandigarh: A gathering of the Panthic Akali Lehar was held at Bunga Nanaksar Sahib Ravidassian Singhan in Talwandi Sabo under the chairmanship of Bhai Ranjit Singh, president of the movement and former Jathedar of Akal Takht.

During the meeting, a call was made to uphold the dignity of the Sikh Panth during the committee elections and to free the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) from the influence of the Badal family.

Bhai Ranjit Singh criticized the current leadership of the SGPC and the Shiromani Akali Dal, stating that Sukhbir Singh Badal should have been expelled from the Panth by the five Jathedars on December 2, citing the harm allegedly caused by the Badal family to the Sikh community. He argued that such an action would have automatically freed the Jathedars and the SGPC from the family’s control.

Singh stressed the need for clear procedures regarding the tenure and retirement of Jathedars, warning that without such measures, Jathedars and Panj Pyare Sahiban would remain mere employees, unable to make decisions in the interest of the Panthic community.

He also criticized the SGPC, which manages a budget of approximately Rs 15 billion, for failing to establish quality schools or hospitals in Punjab to provide affordable education to Sikh children.

Singh noted that Christian missionary schools in the state are attracting a large number of students due to the provision of free education, leading to an increase in religious conversions in border areas.

He called for sincere Sikhs to take charge of the SGPC by increasing voter registration and electing Panth-friendly candidates.

During the event, Bhai Ranjit Singh was felicitated by the gathering. He later paid obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib.