Bains slams Sukhbir’s remarks on Akal Takht, says SGPC blocked Anandpur Sahib Heritage Street project

Chandigarh: Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday criticised Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal over his remarks regarding the Dec 2, 2024, orders of Akal Takht, stating that such statements undermined the authority of the highest temporal seat of Sikhism and amounted to a direct attack on its sanctity and the collective sentiments of the community.He asserted every edict issued by Akal Takht was a divine command that could not be questioned with "buts" and "ifs", adding that those who challenged its authority could not claim to represent the Panth.Calling for immediate intervention, he urged acting jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to take notice of an attack on the takht. Bains also pointed to political interference in religious and heritage matters, stating that the SGPC altered nearly 90% of the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Street project to deny credit to the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann govt, and asserted the people will remember who ultimately blocked a project of deep religious and cultural significance.Reacting to Badal's statement suggesting that "agencies" influenced the decisions of Akal Takht, Bains said, "To say Sri Akal Takht Sahib decisions were influenced by agencies is the most disgraceful statement any so-called Sikh leader could make."He noted that former Akal Takht jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, had also condemned Badal's statement and called upon the Panth to stand united against any attempt to question the authority of the takht. Interacting with media, Bains said the Sri Anandpur Sahib Heritage Street project was stalled by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) due to political considerations, fearing that the credit would go to others. "I was assigned to the Tourism Department for two months. With great enthusiasm, we prepared the Heritage Street project for Sri Anandpur Sahib. It was vetted by the SGPC. Even today, a model of the project, including a Deodi, lies in front of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib," he said.He stated, "The SGPC altered 90% of the original design of the heritage street project for political reasons, as the SGPC did not want the credit to go elsewhere, neither to Harjot Singh Bains nor to CM Bhagwant Singh Mann."Highlighting inconsistencies, he added, "A similar Deodi structure was already built at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. Then why was 90% of the approved design changed? But as I have said, whatever the SGPC President or the Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib decide is a divine order for us. It was my heartfelt wish to see that project through." MSID:: 130146916 413 |