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GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 4
Former SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh Randhawa, who served the SGPC for over four decades in various capacities till 1999, in his recent book, alleged that the SAD-BJP “appointed their yes men on key posts to influence Sikh politics for vested political gains”.
His book in Punjabi titled “Sach Sunaisi Sach ki Bela”, revealed how the SAD had launched a campaign to get summoned Gurcharan Singh Tohra by Akal Takht. He described that Atal Bihari Vajpayee intervened to break the standoff between Badal and Tohra and the latter was appointed SGPC chief in 2003.
Quoting the statements of former CM Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal of never interfering in SGPC affairs, he questioned, “How could Badal, a politician of high esteem, tell a lie? Perhaps, he forgot to complete the sentence that he never interfered, but solely ran the affairs of the SGPC and misappropriated its funds.”
He alleged the modus operandi how the Centre indirectly and the SAD directly took over the reins of Sikh politics by installing their mouthpieces on religious seats.
Randhawa alleged that post 1999, the Jathedars were removed when they tried to maintain the maryada of the highest temporal seat, which never suited them politically.
“Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh, who had summoned Badal supporters for violating the edict of Akal Takht, was removed. When Giani Puran Singh held Bibi Jagir Kaur guilty, he, too, had to lose the position. Bhai Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh were shown the door for observing maryada,” he claimed.
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