Amritsar, Sept 17 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken disciplinary action after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was presented a siropa during his visit to Baba Buddha Sahib Ji Gurdwara in Amritsar. The deputy manager has been transferred, while the narrator and one sevadar have been suspended, SGPC officials confirmed Tuesday. The names of those penalized have not been made public.
The controversy stems from Gandhi’s visit on September 15, when he stopped at the shrine while touring flood-affected areas in Punjab. Several Sikh organisations later lodged objections with the SGPC over the honour being extended to him.
An inquiry committee submitted its findings to SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, holding the gurdwara’s manager, chief granthi, chief sevadar and an employee responsible for the lapse. Dhami is expected to issue an official statement shortly.
The disciplinary steps have, however, sparked debate within the Sikh community. SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur defended the Congress leader, posting on Facebook that Rahul Gandhi should not be punished for actions carried out by his grandmother, the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Many people will not like what I say, but I want to say this. If Indira Gandhi had attacked the Darbar Sahib, the nation would not have spared her. The math is even,” she wrote.
Kaur added, “What is the fault of her grandson, who was a child at that time? He never spoke against Sikhs. Therefore, he cannot be held responsible for his grandmother’s crimes.”
The SGPC president’s upcoming press note is likely to clarify the organisation’s position on the incident amid ongoing criticism from Sikh bodies.
