Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker and Kotkapura MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan has strongly criticised Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami for objecting to the state government’s initiative of organizing Sikh centenary celebrations and seeking public suggestions.
Advocate Dhami had earlier stated that organizing such religious events falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the SGPC, not the Punjab Government. He had termed the state’s move to invite public suggestions on upcoming centenary events as an encroachment.
Countering this, Speaker Sandhwan asserted that the Punjab Government is well within its rights to hold commemorative events related to the Sikh faith. “This is not the first time the state government is hosting centenary commemorations. I am a Gursikh and a representative of a democratically elected government. We too are committed to the promotion of Sikh values and have every right to participate in such efforts,” he said.
He raised questions about the SGPC’s current functioning and reminded that it is meant to represent the collective interests of the entire Sikh Panth, not any one political group. “The SGPC chief should avoid reacting like a representative of a political party. Instead of creating unnecessary disputes, the committee should offer meaningful suggestions and contribute constructively,” he remarked.
Launching a veiled attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sandhwan recalled, “In 1999, the Akali Dal had appealed to the Sikh community to adopt Amrit. But look at where things stand now—many of their own leaders have dropped ‘Singh’ from their names.”
He urged the SGPC to rise above politics and join hands with the state government to celebrate important religious milestones with dignity and inclusivity.
The Punjab Government has invited suggestions from the public for two upcoming events: the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the 450th foundation day of Sri Amritsar Sahib. Citizens have been asked to submit their inputs by July 31, based on which the state will finalize the programme framework