Chandigarh: AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday once again raised serious questions on the functioning of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and criticized SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami and his colleagues on the Sri Anandpur Sahib Sarai issue. "Chief Patron" Asked for answer from Sukhbir Singh Badal. He raised questions on the explanation given by the SGPC chief regarding the woman's stay in the SGPC inn, payment of ₹1 lakh for her treatment and irregularities in the register.
At a press conference, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has constituted a three-member SIT to investigate the entire incident at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The SIT is headed by Punjab Police officer Gurbans Singh Bains, while Simranjit Singh Lang and Karan Singh Sandhu are its members. This investigation will solve many questions which are still unresolved.” He further said, “The investigation will reveal how the woman came from Bahrain, who arranged for her arrival and stay at the SGPC Sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib, what arrangements and facilities were given to her, who approved these facilities, and how she was allowed to stay there for months.
Government orders formal investigation
AAP Punjab media in-charge claimed, “Bhagwant Singh Mann government has now ordered an investigation into the entire matter, which will provide answers to many questions that were unresolved till now. This issue is not to defame any institution. SGPC is a respectable institution, but if questions have been raised on its management and the incidents that took place at Sri Anandpur Sahib, then those questions should be answered. After the questions being raised by the public and different Sikh organizations, the government has Now a formal inquiry has been ordered.” He elaborated, “Even after several days, the SGPC has not put up boards outside its Gurdwaras regarding the persons expelled from the sect. He asked that if the SGPC says it is its duty to ensure that the message reaches everyone, then why these boards have not yet been put up in the SGPC-owned Gurdwaras.
Question on irregularities in register
Referring to Harjinder Singh Dhami's press conference, Baltej Pannu said, “The register shown by SGPC Pradhan himself raises further questions. If you zoom in on the register, the room is clearly written as 'recommended by Amarjeet Singh Chawla' and 'free'. Then how can they claim that the room was booked for ₹1,000?”
Question on claim of giving ₹1 lakh
Baltej Pannu said, “Harjinder Singh Dhami had earlier denied giving ₹1 lakh to the woman, but later admitted in his press conference that this amount was given by the Dharma Artha Committee. The SGPC should tell how many mentally ill patients were given ₹1 lakh for treatment during Harjinder Singh Dhami's time and on whose recommendations these payments were made.”
Questions on application and longevity
He also raised questions on the application on the basis of which ₹1 lakh was sanctioned. Baltej Singh Pannu asked, “It is written in the application itself that the woman was living in the Sarai of Sri Anandpur Sahib for many months. Did no one notice that she was living there for months? Once someone tells a lie, he has to tell lies again and again to hide the lie.” Baltej Pannu asked what is the logic of keeping a woman declared mentally ill in an inn and paying her ₹1 lakh for her treatment? Why was the check paid at Amritsar instead of Sri Anandpur Sahib? Where was the treatment going on and which doctors recommended it?”
When was the register tampering discovered?
AAP Punjab's media in-charge further asked, “When exactly did the alleged tampering with the register come to light? Did the tampering come to light after the FIR was filed, or at the time of formation of the SGPC committee? If it was already known, then why was it not brought up in the regular proceedings of the SGPC?” Baltej Pannu further said, “SGPC is a respectable institution built on sacrifices. No one is questioning the institution. But if there are questions on its management, then every Guru Nanak Nam Leva has the right to ask this question and today many Sikh organizations are raising questions on this development.”
Question on suspension of driver Mohan Singh
He also raised questions on the suspension of driver Mohan Singh. Baltej Singh Pannu asked, “If according to the SGPC pradhan, no car was given to the woman, then why was the driver suspended? If he was a driver, then whose car was he driving?” Baltej Pannu said, “The statements of the people named in the FIR and other people related to the case have raised more questions. Amarjeet Singh Chawla had told in his interview that Virsa Singh Valtoha had asked the woman to stay in the inn. If so, then how was he denying for so long that she had stayed there for months?”
Questions on 328 missing forms and demand for CBI investigation
Recalling the controversy of 328 missing forms, he also raised questions on Harjinder Singh Dhami's demand for a CBI inquiry. Baltej Singh Pannu said, "During the controversy over the 328 missing forms, the SGPC had opposed the involvement of the CBI and said it could conduct its own investigation. Now on what basis are you demanding a CBI inquiry? CBI had already submitted the closure report in the 2015 sacrilege case. Harjinder Singh Dhami should set his record straight before raising such demands."
Challenge to the announcement of five-hour press conference
Baltej Singh Pannu also challenged Harjinder Singh Dhami's announcement of holding a five-hour press conference. He said, "If you are going to hold a five-hour press conference, at least invite the people who are raising these questions. We know you will not answer our questions. Call on those Sikhs who are with you to ask five questions, especially those of the new generation. I don't think you will be able to face even five of his questions." He further said that the younger generation will not accept such explanations. When the next generation discovers these things, these questions will come up again. You can escape from us, but you will not be able to escape from the questions of the next generation.”
No attempt to defame SGPC
Baltej Pannu said, “These questions are not an attempt to defame SGPC. SGPC is not being defamed. If there are questions on management, then every person who follows the Guru's teachings has the right to ask questions. Even the person who takes out ₹ 10 from his pocket and offers it at Gurdwara Sahib, also has the right to ask how ₹ 1 lakh was given.” AAP Punjab's media incharge appealed to Harjinder Singh Dhami and Sukhbir Badal to answer the questions instead of avoiding them. Baltej Singh Pannu said, “Until answers are given, these questions will continue and grow bigger.”