Amritsar/Ludhiana, Punjab (January 15, 2013): Opposing participation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the Kumbh mela, the Dal Khalsa has slammed SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar for succumbing to the pressure from the Shiromani Akali Dal Badal on this issue. SAD (Badal) is the ruling party in Punjab that runs a coalition government Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), that has it’s ideological base in Hindutva ideology. It is notable that SGPC is currently under the control of SAD (Badal).
Party General Secretary Manjinder Singh and spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh asked Makkar would the SGPC organize similar exhibitions during Eid and Christmas also.
They said the “inefficient and incompetent” President of the SGPC took this decision despite three members of the executive committee opposing it in the meeting .
“They reportedly said after making the SGPC an extension counter of the Shiromani Akali Dal Badal, Chief Minister Partkash Singh Badal and party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had now mortgaged the SGPC’s authority to Hindutva forces” reports Punjab News Line (PNL).
“Taking a dig at Avtar Singh Makkar, they said the flip-flop in decision to display books on Sikh history instead of taking part in the mela was taken after the SGPC faced strong criticism from Sikh groups. “Makkar has been reduced to a puppet”, they rued” it adds.
“Quoting Makkar that the idea behind this move was to acquaint people of all faiths who take part in the Kumbh Mela about Sikhism and the valour of Sikh gurus and warriors, the leaders of Sikh hardliner group wondered what stopped the SGPC for resolving to display the same exhibition for people who takes part at Jama Masjid and Ajmer Sharif Dargah during the Eid festival and historic Cathedral in Goa on November 25” the PNL news report reads furhter.