On December 31, 2024, in a big U-Turn, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) executive committee reversed its decision to excommunicate Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to kill Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at Golden Temple, Amritsar on December 4.
The December 9 resolution urging the Akal Takht jathedar to excommunicate Chaura from the Panth was rejected without citing any reason.
Notably, Chaura was arrested after the incident on December 4. The Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC had demanded his excommunication whereas expressing solidarity with Chaura extremists group Dal Khalsa had opposed the demand.
Talking to the media, after meeting SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had said, “The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal is a deep-rooted conspiracy. Since the bullet hit the deodi (entrance building) of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), the sentiments of Sikhs across the world were hurt. The attack violated the edict of Akal Takht Sahib, the principle of Miri-Piri and Panthic maryada. So, the Akal Takht must take action in this case.”
The executive meeting, chaired by SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami also discussed the killing of three suspected pro-Khalistan operatives from Punjab in a shootout with police in UP and demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths.
“A resolution was passed regarding the police encounter in UP and strong questions were raised on it. The resolution said that this is a very serious matter and it seems like a deliberate act to target the youth of Punjab. Today’s EC meeting strongly demands a judicial inquiry into this encounter,” the SGPC note reads.
The executive committee further passed a resolution to extend the term of the investigation panel formed to probe suspended Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh by one month in view of the elections of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. The services of Giani Harpreet Singh had been suspended after he alleged that some SAD leaders were attempting his character assassination to divert attention from the Akal Takht’s decisions on the SAD’s reorganisation.
A condolence resolution was also passed on the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh, and tributes were paid to him by reciting the ‘moolmantar’ and ‘Gurmantar’.
