Badal family patronising corrupt in SGPC: Darbar Sahib head granthi

Jalandhar: Alleging that there was major corruption in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, former Akal Takht Jathedar and current Darbar Sahib head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh said the Badal family was patronising corrupt elements in the Sikh body, and that a Sarbat Khalsa should be called to free the SGPC from the clutches of one family. He also claimed that during the Taran Taran by-election he was pressured to issue a statement that the pronouncement from Akal Takht on December 2, 2024 was made under pressure from the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and BJP, but he refused to tell such a big lie.Addressing a specially convened press conference here on Wednesday, Giani Raghbir Singh, who was Akal Takht Jathedar when Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared Tankhaiya (guilty of gross Panthic-political misconduct) and then religious punishment was pronounced on Dec 2, said it was his responsibility to tell the Sikh community that major corruption was happening in the SGPC; lands were sold by unscrupulous elements; and the Badal family was patronising the corrupt in the SGPC. "I can be removed from my post and anything can happen to me, but I consider it my responsibility to tell the truth to the community," he said.
Giani Raghbir alleged that the level of corruption was so deep and extensive that a bribe of even Rs 5 lakh was taken by some SGPC official for holding the Akhand Path (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) at certain places in Darbar Sahib. "During the Tarn Taran by-election, I was asked to give a statement that the decisions on December 2 were made under the directions and pressure of the RSS-BJP. But I refused, stating that all the decisions were taken by only five of us and there was no pressure from anybody. I also said that I would not withdraw even one inch from those decisions," he said.Stating that after the Dec 2 pronouncement, he and then Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh were removed, and then Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh was transferred from his position as Darbar Sahib Granthi to Muktsar, he claimed that an SGPC official demanded Rs 5 lakh from the latter to transfer him back to Darbar Sahib. "In the coming days, Giani Sultan would himself disclose the name of the SGPC official and other details," he said."These are very sad developments, and behind all such things is one family. When I sat in the hazuri (service) of Guru Granth Sahib at Darbar Sahib as Head Granthi, it was said that I should be removed immediately, as it was causing heartburn to somebody (hinting at Sukhbir)," he alleged, adding that the community should know the reason for his going on leave. "They (Badals) did not want me to see there. In June last year, when I applied for leave, I was told, ‘Wadde Ghar waale nahin manne (The Badal family did not agree)' for my leave. When I managed to establish contact with the family, I was told that I would speak against them while abroad," he said.Mentioning the names of villains in Sikh history, like (Ahmad Shah) Abdali, Massa Ranghar, Jaspat Rai, and Lakhpat Rai, Giani Raghbir Singh said Sikhs confronted them all and protected the maryada, but now one family was destroying each and every maryada and institution. "They misused the high religious positions; called the Jathedars to their residence to direct them to unilaterally pardon the Sirsa dera chief; and then misused money from the SGPC funds to justify that," he said.He also recalled the incidents of Bargari sacrilege, Behbal Kalan police firing, and the promotion and protection of senior police officers like Sumedh Saini and Izhar Alam.Giani Raghbir Singh called for a collective effort to address these issues, suggesting that the entire Khalsa Panth should unite to liberate the SGPC from familial control. He said that, for this purpose, Sikh organisations should come together to call a Sarbat Khalsa and take decisive action to protect the sanctity of their religious institutions and heritage.He said that the case of 328 missing saroops of Guru Granth Sahib was very serious and that the SGPC should bring all the facts before the community. He also alleged a lack of transparency regarding precious elements of Sikh heritage, including two swords from the Guru period.