Sikh Clergy Warns AAP Govt: Stop Meddling in Sikh Affair or Face Panthic Repercussions

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Amritsar - In a stern warning, the five high priests of the Sikh community have asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to refrain from interfering in the internal matters of the Sikhs or face consequences as per the 'Panthic' traditions. The warning comes after the Punjab Police registered an FIR in connection with the disappearance of 328 'saroops' (sacred copies) of Guru Granth Sahib from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's (SGPC) publication house in Amritsar in 2020. According to the Sikh clergy, the government's move is a direct challenge to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs. They claim that the FIR registration is an unwarranted interference in the administrative rights of the SGPC. In a statement issued after a key meeting, the five Singh Sahiban, or the heads of the five Sikh temporal seats, said that the government's action is unjustified as the Ishar Singh Investigation Commission report clearly recommends that the matter should be resolved through the Akal Takht authority and institutions of SGPC, rather than through government law or police mechanisms. The Sikh clergy also pointed out that several complaints have been lodged with the Punjab Police against hateful propaganda being carried out against Sikhs, but no action has been taken. They further accused the government of trying to derive personal or political benefit from the issue of the missing saroops, which is against the 'Panthic' traditions. The Singh Sahiban also directed the SGPC to take concrete steps to prevent the misuse of technology, including the making of films and Artificial Intelligence videos that imitate Sikh gurus, their family members, Sikh warriors, martyrs, and other revered personalities. They also prohibited the performance of Anand Karaj ceremonies at non-gurdwara venues, including marriage palaces, resorts, and beaches. The Sikh clergy warned the Punjab government and the ruling party that if they continue to interfere in the internal matters of the Sikhs, they will face consequences as per the 'Panthic' traditions. They also clarified that the matter of the missing saroops pertained to administrative corruption and financial negligence, and the SGPC has already taken action against the guilty employees.