Akali Dal and Shiromani Committee must stop using religion and Sri Akal Takht Sahib as a shield: Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala

Amritsar

(  Justice News)

Punjab BJP spokesperson and Sikh thinker Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala stated that in the case of 328 sacred saroops, the Akali Dal and the Shiromani Committee are misusing religion and Sri Akal Takht Sahib as a protective shield. He said the Shiromani Committee has not only challenged the supreme religious authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib but is now conspiring, for political motives, to place law and order and Sri Akal Takht Sahib in confrontation with each other.
Prof. Khiala emphasized that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the center of faith and the highest religious authority for Sikhs, whereas the government is bound to discharge its constitutional and legal responsibilities. Therefore, the Shiromani Committee should refrain from creating misleading narratives such as “whether the government is supreme or Sri Akal Takht Sahib.” He clarified that the Shiromani Committee is not above the Constitution or the law. Despite having its own rules, the present Shiromani Committee has been constituted under the Constitution, and its members are elected through a constitutional process.

Challenging the claims of action being taken against the accused employees as per the directions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Prof. Khiala said that the Shiromani Committee’s interim committee is a powerful body. On August 27, 2020, it passed Resolution No. 466, in accordance with the orders of the five Singh Sahibs, recommending registration of an FIR against five out of the alleged sixteen accused, based on the report of the Bhai Ishar Singh Inquiry Committee. The resolution also authorized the formation of a sub-committee under the leadership of then General Secretary Harjinder Singh Dhami for legal action and empowered President Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal to constitute a four-member panel of advocates.

However, surprisingly, just a week later on September 5, 2020, the same interim committee, without seeking approval from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, passed Resolution No. 493 and withdrew from registering an FIR, allowing only departmental action. This amounted to an open violation of the directions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the five Singh Sahibs.He said that had the matter been dealt with at that time strictly in accordance with the directions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, it would have been resolved then itself.

Referring to a 2002 case, Prof. Khiala recalled that Baba Dhanwant Singh was acquitted by the Takht Sahib in a case of immoral conduct, but was later convicted by a court of law. Following this, Sri Akal Takht Sahib decided that matters falling within the jurisdiction of law would not be taken up at the Takht.In the present context, he said the case of 328 sacred saroops involves alleged offences such as misappropriation and negligence, and after registration of the FIR, it is now under legal investigation. Revisiting the matter at Sri Akal Takht Sahib would therefore amount to a violation of its own earlier decision.

He clarified that this is a case of administrative lapses and negligence, not of religious maryada. Terming the present legal action as contempt of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is misleading and aimed at spreading confusion among the Sangat. The Sangat wants the truth to come out. Even the accused employees claim they have been wronged and are willing to cooperate with the investigation after registration of the FIR. Hence, the law must be allowed to take its course.
Prof. Khiala stressed that this is not a matter of Gurmat Maryada but one involving records, property, negligence and potential criminal offences. Fear of investigation does not protect faith; it reflects an attempt to evade questions, or it suggests that the Shiromani Committee is making desperate efforts to protect certain individuals.
He further pointed out that among the accused named in the FIR is Satinder Singh Kohli of S.S. Kohli & Associates, Chartered Accountants. The Bhai Ishar Singh Inquiry Report clearly states that had this firm responsibly computerized the accounts in a timely manner, the loss of 328 sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji could have been prevented. The firm was appointed as auditor in 2010 and joined duties in 2011. On July 11, 2024, the interim committee passed Resolution No. 1542 terminating the firm’s contract due to serious charges, but shockingly, the firm was re-inducted into the Shiromani Committee within a few days.