Row over Siropa honour for Rahul Gandhi: SGPC suspends granthi, sewadar and katha vachak of Gurdwara Baba Budha Ji
Traditionally, SGPC permits siropa ceremony only for Sikh religious figures, as it is performed in front of Guru Granth Sahib
PTC Web Desk: In a major move, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has suspended several officials of Baba Budha Ji Gurdwara, Ramdas, following a controversy over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being presented a ‘siropa’ during his visit. The suspended officials are Granthi Kulwinder Singh, along with a 'katha vachak' and a sewadar. Manager Pargat Singh was transferred after given a warning.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi had visited the gurdwara while touring flood-affected areas in Amritsar and Gurdaspur and offered obeisance when he was given the 'siropa'.
The SGPC stated that the suspended staff failed to properly manage arrangements during Rahul Gandhi’s visit, emphasising the need for strict adherence to protocols during high-profile visits to maintain the sanctity and security of Sikh religious institutions.
Earlier, while facing flak, SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami had ordered a probe into the incident. Several SGPC members condemned the committee for giving the siropa to Rahul Gandhi.
Traditionally, the SGPC permits the siropa ceremony only for Sikh religious figures, as it is performed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib.
SGPC members alleged presenting Siropa to Rahul Gandhi was an attempt to “grant forgiveness to the Gandhi family despite its alleged role in the Golden Temple attack, demolition of Akal Takht, and the 1984 Sikh genocide in Delhi."