On the 4th of July, Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami suspended 51 workers in the alleged ‘Langar Scam’. The suspended workers are accused of siphoning Rs 1 crore while running langar (community kitchen) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
ਲੰਗਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਵਿਖੇ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕੀ ਬੇਨਿਯਮੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਮਾਮਲਾ:
— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) July 4, 2023
ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਐਡਵੋਕੇਟ ਧਾਮੀ ਨੇ ਕੀਤੀ ਮਿਸਾਲੀ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ, 51 ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ@SGPCPresident#Langar #SriGuruRamdasJi #Sewa #Sikhs#SGPC #SGPCPresident #SGPCPresident2023 #HarjinderSinghDhami pic.twitter.com/684RrAENgI
The suspended staffers include managers, supervisors, storekeepers, and gurudwara inspectors who were involved in langar service. As per the information, they were mandated at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee Langar Hall.
The scam was exposed by the SGPC flying squad, an investigation wing. They found out that the alleged scam continued for more than three years from April 2019 to December 2022.
ਲੰਗਰ 'ਚ ਇਹ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕੀ ਬੇਨਿਯਮੀਆਂ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਦੀ ਹੀ ਫਲਾਇੰਗ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਦੀ ਟੀਮ ਨੇ ਲੱਭੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਮੁਕੰਮਲ ਜਾਂਚ ਜਾਰੀ ਹੈ।
— Harjinder Singh Dhami (@SGPCPresident) July 1, 2023
Notably, the Gurudwara Committee has set up a tendering process to sell leftover food, including stale ‘chapattis’, rice, and vegetables to industrial units that convert it into cattle feed. It is alleged that the suspended workers didn’t deposit the full amount received after selling the leftover food and they also tampered with the accounts to hide the financial irregularity.
Responding to the suspension order, SGPC President Dhami said, “Irrelagurities or negligence will not be tolerated in Gurudwara management. The sentiments of people are attached to gurudwaras and respecting those religious sentiments is the prime responsibility of gurudwara employees.”
Additionally, the committee also announced new appointments. Bhagwant Singh Dhangera was appointed as the general manager of the Golden Temple. Additional manager Nishan Singh has been given the responsibility of managing sarais (inns).
ਸ. ਭਗਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਧੰਗੇੜਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਜਨਰਲ ਮੈਨੇਜਰ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ
— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) July 4, 2023
Bhagwant Singh Dhangera appointed General Manager of Sri Darbar Sahib
ਇਸੇ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਸ. ਭਗਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਧੰਗੇੜਾ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਚਖੰਡ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਜਨਰਲ ਮੈਨੇਜਰ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਮੌਜੂਦਾ ਸਮੇਂ ਉਹ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਦੇ ਸਬ-ਆਫ਼ਿਸ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਵਿਖੇ… pic.twitter.com/HwPS5JVnEG
The action comes days after the accounts division of the SGPC detected administrative irregularities in running ‘langar’ and an embezzlement of Rs 1 crore in the langar.
Earlier, the Committee suspended two storekeepers from the community kitchen. It was alleged that they didn’t deposit the money received after selling stale food in the Gurudwara committee’s account.
When the news of the alleged scam first broke out, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised question marks on the management of the Gurudwara Committee. Taking to Twitter he wrote in Punjabi, “If I say it, then you will say that I said so. It will lead to exposing our own fault. Rest will be cleared by the president about this scam.” (translated version)
ਅਗਰ ਮੈਂ ਬੋਲੂੰਗਾਂ ਤੋ ਬੋਲੋਗੇ ਕੇ ਬੋਲਤਾ ਹੈ
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) July 1, 2023
…ਕੀ ਬੋਲੀਏ ਆਪਣਾ ਝੁੱਗਾ ਚੱਕੇ ਤੋਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਹੀ ਢਿੱਡ ਨੰਗਾ ਹੁੰਦੈ..ਬਾਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਜੀ ਦੱਸਣਗੇ ..ਸੱਚੇ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਦੀ ਜੂਠ ਦਾ ਘਪਲਾ.?? pic.twitter.com/id0oVLkJSB
Responding to CM Mann’s criticism and allegations in the langar scam case, SGPC President Dhami said, “I am not going to get into details. Our flying department has done an inquiry into the matter. Once they submit their report, we will take appropriate action. I want to ask CM, what kind of new politics you have started? Does Shiromani Committee is obliged to ask you before taking any steps? Are you going to give directions to us? “
ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ’ਚ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ’ਤੇ ਧੱਕੇ, ਡਿਬਰੂਗੜ੍ਹ ’ਚ ਨਜ਼ਰਬੰਦ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ, ਲੰਗਰ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ’ਚ ਬੇਨਿਯਮੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਰਣ ਬਾਰੇ SGPC ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕਰਮ#SGPC #Sikhs #Pakistan #SikhSangat #GurbaniTelecast #Langar #ਸਿੱਖ #ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕਕਮੇਟੀ #ਸਿੱਖਸੰਗਤ #ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ pic.twitter.com/sNREuusOPe
— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) July 3, 2023
He further added, “We do not shy away from taking any action. Once the report is submitted, we will take required action”.
The ongoing feud between SGPC and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
Earlier on the 18th of June, Punjab CM Mann announced that the state government would alter the Sikh Gurudwara Act, of 1925 to ensure free transmission rights of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਅਸ਼ੀਰਵਾਦ ਸਦਕਾ ਕੱਲ ਇੱਕ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਿਕ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ..ਸਮੂਹ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੁਦਵਾਰਾ ਐਕਟ 1925 ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਨਵੀਂ ਧਾਰਾ ਜੋੜ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਬ ਜੀ ਤੋਂ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪੑਸਾਰਣ ਸਭ ਲਈ ਮੁਫਤ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ …no tender required..ਕੱਲ ਕੈਬਨਿਟ ਚ ..20 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਚ ਮਤਾ ਆਵੇਗਾ..
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) June 18, 2023
Previously, the PTC network had the authorisation to broadcast Gurbani from Harmandir Sahib by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest board for Sikhs. It is important to note that the PTC network is owned by the influential Badal family of the former chief minister of Punjab and union minister Prakash Singh Badal.
The announcement by Punjab CM claimed to target the network’s monopoly and create a level playing field for all television networks. The Shiromani Akali Dal, the SGPC, and the Badal family all came out strongly against the CM’s proposal. The announcement infuriated SGPC Dhami who took to Twitter to express his disagreement.
ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ @BhagwantMann ਜੀ, ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਲਝਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ। ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦੇ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਸੰਗਤ ਦੀ ਭਾਵਨਾਵਾਂ ਤੇ ਸਰੋਕਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ 'ਚ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਦਖ਼ਲ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੱਕ ਨਹੀਂ। ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਐਕਟ 1925 'ਚ ਸੋਧ ਕਰਕੇ ਨਵੀਂ ਧਾਰਾ ਜੋੜਨ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ, + pic.twitter.com/pAMLpuHTXW
— Harjinder Singh Dhami (@SGPCPresident) June 18, 2023
Tagging Punjab CM Mann, Dhami stated, “Sir, do not try to interfere with the religious affairs of the Sikhs. Sikh affairs are related to the sentiments and concerns of the Sangat (Sikh community) in which governments have no right to interfere directly. You are talking about adding a new section by amending the Sikh Gurudwara Act 1925.”
The Sikh Gurudwaras Act of 1925, which Punjab CM Mann proposed to amend, was legislated in British India. It legally defined Sikh identity and brought Sikh gurudwaras under the control of an elected body of orthodox Sikhs.
