Amritsar, Feb 25: To enforce institutional discipline, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has penalized 20 managers and accountants for attending a formal meeting in western outfits. The employees were instructed to make a religious offering of ₹2,100 as a penalty for deviating from the mandatory kurta-pyjama dress code.
President Dhami affirmed that the dress code is essential for maintaining the sanctity of the religious institution and helping pilgrims identify committee staff. The reprimand occurred during a session for staff of gurdwaras under Section 85, which saw a change in leadership earlier this month.
The backdrop of this disciplinary action includes a sensitive legal matter involving the alleged illegal sale of gurdwara land in Saini Majra. Following a complaint by the SGPC secretary, police initiated proceedings against several individuals for cheating and forgery.
“If the SGPC leadership believed it was not at fault in the land deal, there was no need for a cover-up,” Giani Harpreet Singh declared while criticizing the committee’s handling of the situation. He maintained that the organization’s internal conclusions regarding forged documents were premature given the ongoing investigation.
The SGPC has historically sought to ensure that its representatives reflect the traditional values of the shrines they serve. The recent shift in administrative responsibilities from Secretary Partap Singh to Additional Secretary Gurinder Singh Mathrewal was intended to streamline operations during the ongoing police inquiry.
Officials stated that the enforcement of the dress code is part of a broader effort to restore the image of the SGPC following the recent public scrutiny over land management.
