Punjab CM Slams SGPC, Accuses Akali Dal of Corruption and Fund Misuse

Chandigarh – June 9, 2025: The political feud between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) reached new heights on Monday, as the CM lashed out at the religious body, accusing it of acting as a “golak (donation box) committee” under the grip of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

The remarks came during a fiery press conference where Mann alleged large-scale financial mismanagement by SGPC officials in collusion with Akali Dal leadership.

Allegations Against SGPC and SAD

Bhagwant Mann, representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stated that SGPC funds—donations collected at major Sikh shrines—were being misappropriated and used for political ends.

“The SGPC has lost its moral and spiritual role. It is no longer the caretaker of Sikh institutions but the financial arm of the Akali Dal,” Mann said.

He further claimed that SAD leaders were using SGPC resources to finance their election campaigns, foreign travel, and legal battles.

SGPC Fires Back

The SGPC, a premier Sikh religious body managing gurdwaras including the Golden Temple, swiftly rejected Mann’s claims. Its president, Harjinder Singh Dhami, called the accusations “baseless” and “politically motivated,” aimed at undermining Sikh religious institutions.

Dhami said, “The CM is playing with fire by interfering in Sikh religious matters. The SGPC operates under constitutional frameworks and audits.”

Political Undertones Ahead of SGPC Elections

The timing of Mann’s statements is significant, coming just months before the SGPC elections—a battleground where AAP has expressed interest in challenging Akali Dal’s long-standing dominance.

AAP insiders suggest that the party may support independent Sikh candidates or form its own religious reform front to contest future elections.

Political analysts believe Mann’s strategy is to erode SAD’s influence among Sikh voters by portraying the party as exploitative and outdated.

Wider Implications for Punjab Politics

The public clash hints at broader political realignments in Punjab. With the Akali Dal struggling to regain lost ground and AAP pushing aggressive reforms, control over religious institutions has become a flashpoint.

If AAP gains traction within SGPC affairs, it could alter the power dynamics in both Sikh religious circles and state politics.