Senior Punjab BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal has alleged that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is obtaining involved in the farmers’ agitation and providing a religious colour to the protest. He mentioned that the SGPC is going against its mandate. The BJP leader’s reaction came right after SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur not too long ago mentioned that the religious body will be setting up short-term sheds with fans for farmers protesting at Delhi borders.
In a letter to Kaur, Grewal mentioned that the prime function of the SGPC is to handle the affairs of the gurdwaras. He mentioned that by obtaining involved in the farmers’ agitation, the SGPC is going against the mandate provided to it below ‘The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925’ and ‘Punjab Act 8 of 1925′. He claimed that by involving in the farmers’ protest, the SGPC is providing a religious colour to the ongoing agitation and the move is ‘extremely unfortunate and uncalled for’.
According to , Grewal wrote in the letter that Kaur’s statement can have significant repercussions and could prove to be particularly detrimental for the peace of Punjab. “History will not forgive you for giving a religious colour to this agitation,” he mentioned.
However, Grewal’s remark drew sharp reactions from SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur. Kaur mentioned that the SGPC is effectively conscious of its duties and Grewal ought to retain his suggestions to himself. Kaur went on to blame the BJP for farmers’ woes.
She mentioned that farmers are on the brink of disaster due to the arbitrary behaviour of the BJP government and Grewal ought to stand with the farmers at this time rather than questioning the organisations assisting the farmers.
On March 4, Kaur had announced the continuation of langar and moveable toilet facilities at protest websites. She had also mentioned that the households of the deceased farmers would be provided Rs 1 lakh every by the SGPC.
The SGP chief claimed that Grewal’s statement reflects his ignorance of the teachings of Sikh Gurus who usually gave priority to sewa and taught to stand with the society.
Thousands of farmers are protesting at Delhi borders for more than 3 months against the 3 newly enacted farm laws, which had been place on hold by the Supreme Court of India. The BJP had faced a setback in the not too long ago held municipal and regional bodies elections in Punjab.