AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday once again raised serious questions over the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and sought answers from SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami and its “chief custodian” Sukhbir Singh Badal over the Sri Anandpur Sahib sarai issue. He questioned the explanations given by SGPC president over the woman’s stay at the SGPC sarai, the ₹1 lakh treatment payment and discrepancies in the register.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu stated, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team to investigate the entire Sri Anandpur Sahib episode. The SIT is headed by Punjab Police officer Gurbans Singh Bains, with Simranjit Singh Lang and Karan Singh Sandhu as its members. This investigation will address the many questions that have remained unanswered so far.”
He continued, “The investigation will answer how the woman came from Bahrain, who facilitated her arrival and stay at the SGPC sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib, what arrangements and facilities were provided to her, who authorised them, and how she was allowed to stay there for months.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge asserted, “The Bhagwant Singh Mann government has now ordered an investigation into the entire matter that would address the many questions that have remained unanswered so far. The issue is not about defaming any institution. The SGPC is a revered institution, but if questions have arisen about its management and the events that took place at Sri Anandpur Sahib, those questions must be answered. The government had now put a formal investigation behind the questions being raised by the public and various Sikh organisations.”
He elaborated, “Even after several days, SGPC has not put up the boards outside its gurdwaras regarding those excommunicated from the Panth. “If the SGPC says it is its duty to ensure that the message reaches everyone, why have these boards still not been put up at any SGPC-managed gurdwara?” he asked.
Referring to Harjinder Singh Dhami’s press conference, Baltej Pannu stated, “The register shown by the SGPC president himself raises more questions. If you zoom into the register, the room is clearly marked ‘Recommended by Amarjit Singh Chawla’ and ‘Free’. Then how can they claim that the room was booked by paying ₹1,000?”
Baltej Pannu said, “Harjinder Singh Dhami had earlier denied that ₹1 lakh was given to the woman but later admitted in his press conference that the amount was provided by the Dharam Arath Committee. The SGPC should disclose how many mentally ill persons have been given ₹1 lakh each for treatment during Harjinder Singh Dhami’s tenure and on whose recommendations such payments were made.”
He further questioned the application on the basis of which the ₹1 lakh was sanctioned. Baltej Singh Pannu asked, “The application itself says that the woman had been staying in the Sri Anandpur Sahib sarai for several months. Did nobody notice that she had been staying there for months? Once someone lies, they have to keep lying to cover the lie.”
Baltej Pannu questioned, “What is the justification for keeping a person described as mentally ill in the sarai and providing her ₹1 lakh for treatment? Why was the cheque encashed in Amritsar and not Sri Anandpur Sahib? Where was the treatment taking place and which doctors had recommended it?”
The AAP Punjab Media Incharge further asked, “When was the alleged tampering of the register actually detected? Was the tampering discovered only after the FIR was registered, or when the SGPC committee was constituted? If it was known earlier, why was it never reflected in the SGPC’s regular proceedings?”
Baltej Pannu added, “The SGPC is a revered institution built through sacrifices. No one is questioning the institution. But if there are questions about its management, every Guru Nanak Naam Leva has the right to ask them and many Sikh organisations are now questioning the episode.”
He also questioned the suspension of driver Mohan Singh. Baltej Singh Pannu asked, “If, the SGPC president says, no vehicle was provided to the woman, then why was the driver suspended? If he was a driver, whose vehicle was he driving?”
Baltej Pannu said, “The statements of those named in the FIR and others connected to the matter have raised further questions. Amarjit Singh Chawla, in his interview, stated that Virsa Singh Valtoha had asked that the woman be given accommodation at the sarai. If this is so, how were they denying for so long that she had stayed there for months?”
He also questioned Harjinder Singh Dhami’s demand for a CBI probe, recalling the controversy over 328 missing Saroops. Baltej Singh Pannu said, “During the controversy over 328 missing Saroops, the SGPC had opposed CBI involvement, saying it was capable of conducting its own inquiry. Now, on what basis are you demanding a CBI investigation? The CBI had already submitted a closure report in the 2015 beadbi case. Harjinder Singh Dhami should correct his record before raising such demands.”
Baltej Pannu also challenged Harjinder Singh Dhami’s announcement of a five-hour press conference. He said, “If you are going to hold a five-hour press conference, then at least invite those who are raising these questions. We are aware you won’t answer our questions. Sit five questioning Sikhs with you, especially members of the new generation. I do not think you will be able to face even five of their questions.”
He further stated, “The younger generation will not simply accept explanations at face value. When the next generation searches for these matters, these questions will come up again. You may be able to escape us, but you will not be able to escape the questions of the next generation.”
Baltej Pannu said, “These questions are not an attempt to defame the SGPC. The SGPC is not being defamed. If there are questions about the management, anyone who follows the Guru’s teachings has the right to ask them. Even those who bring ₹10 from their own pocket and offer it at Gurudwara Sahib have the right to ask how ₹1 lakh was given away.”
The AAP Punjab Media Incharge urged Harjinder Singh Dhami and Sukhbir Badal to answer the questions instead of trying to avoid them. Baltej Singh Pannu said, “These questions will continue and become bigger until answers are provided.”
