Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Friday questioned the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Akali Dal leadership over the matter concerning a woman from Bahrain who stayed at a sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar.
Pannu said the silence of the SGPC and Akali Dal leadership over the matter for the past several days had raised several questions. He questioned why the truth was allegedly being hidden from the Sikh Sangat and Punjabis.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said, “The silence of the SGPC and Akali Dal leadership over this entire episode for the past several days raises several serious questions. Why is the truth being hidden from the Sikh Sangat and Punjabis?”
Questions Over Financial Transactions
Pannu also alleged that
financial irregularities had taken place in the matter and claimed that money was collected from various office-bearers of the party.
He questioned SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami over the alleged financial transactions and asked him to clarify how much money was transferred, where it came from, who received it and what happened to the money.
“Harjinder Singh Dhami avoided stating in his press conference how much money was actually transferred, where this money came from, to whom it was given and what the account of this money is. Harjinder Singh Dhami must answer these questions,” Pannu said.
‘Why Was Woman Kept In Sarai For Eight Months?’
Referring to an audio clip involving Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha and the woman connected with the matter, Pannu said several serious allegations emerge from their conversation.
He alleged that SGPC member and senior vice president of the Akali Dal Amarjit Singh Chawla was accused of harassing the woman by keeping her in the sarai for eight months.
Pannu questioned how a single woman was allowed to stay in a sarai for such a long period and whether this violated SGPC rules.
“How was a single woman given a room in the sarai for so many months while flouting SGPC rules? Can such acts be permitted at that sacred religious place? Who allowed this arrangement to continue for eight months?” he asked.
Pannu Questions Remarks On Woman’s Character
Pannu also targeted those who, he alleged, had questioned the character of the woman on social media and television channels.
“Those leaders who are questioning the character of the victim on social media and television channels, taunting her for not being a ‘Sati-Savitri’ and talking about cases being registered against her, must answer why, when they knew everything, the woman was brought there and kept there,” he said.
Pannu further questioned the circumstances under which the woman was brought to the sarai.
“What was Jhinjer’s compulsion and at whose behest did Jhinjer get the ticket booked? If these leaders knew about the entire matter, why was the woman brought there and why was she allowed to stay there for eight months?” he asked.
‘Why Demand CBI Probe Instead Of Cooperating With Punjab Police?’
Pannu criticised the inquiry committee formed by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, describing it as a “committee of juniors”.
He questioned how junior members of the committee would question senior leaders, including Virsa Singh Valtoha, whom he accused of abusing others and carrying out character assassination on social media.
“What would these junior persons question their seniors or leaders like Virsa Singh Valtoha, who are in the habit of abusing others and carrying out character assassination on social media, as was done with Giani Harpreet Singh and his children?” Pannu said.
He also questioned the demand for a CBI probe into the matter while the Punjab Police investigation is underway.
“Instead of cooperating with the Punjab Police investigation, they are demanding a CBI probe. The question is, who is being saved? If the intentions were clear, why was the investigation not entrusted to a former Sikh judge or a former Sikh IPS officer?” Pannu said.
Pannu Questions Sukhbir Badal’s Role
Pannu also referred to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and described him as the “Chief Custodian” of the SGPC.
He said the matter would not end by allowing several days to pass or by attempting to suppress it.
“Sukhbir Singh Badal is the Chief Custodian of the SGPC. This matter is not going to end by letting four or five days pass or by trying to suppress the issue. Today, the Sikh intelligentsia and young Sikh community across the world are asking questions,” Pannu said.
‘Open The Files And Look At The Entire Record’
Pannu also criticised Harjinder Singh Dhami over what he described as files containing records of alleged scams and other acts.
“Dhami Sahib, you have a big bag full of files lying with you, so open it and take a look. It contains the entire record of scams and acts. If those things come out, you will then say that institutions are being defamed,” he said.
Pannu further said that people visit the religious site to pay their respects and questioned what happened to the woman during her alleged eight-month stay.
“People come to bow their heads at the sacred land of the martyrs, and you will have to answer what happened to a woman there for eight months. The Sikh Sangat has the right to know what happened, who brought the woman there, who arranged her stay and why she remained there for such a long period,” he said.
Pannu concluded by saying that the SGPC and Akali Dal leadership must answer the questions being raised by the Sikh Sangat and Punjabis instead of attempting to suppress the matter.
