Heated exchange between Akal Takht Jathedar and Minister Harjot Bains over road projects, Jathedar appointments
Gurpreet Singh
Anandpur Sahib (Punjab), April 13, 2025: A heated exchange took place today in Anandpur Sahib between Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains and the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj.
The dispute arose during a public gathering and quickly escalated from a local infrastructure issue to a broader debate over the authority and appointment of Sikh religious leaders.
The argument began when Jathedar Gargaj. questioned the delay in constructing the road leading to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
He challenged Bains directly, asking for a public commitment regarding the road’s completion. “Minister Bains, you’ve made announcements from this very stage. When will the road actually be built?” asked the Jathedar.
In response, Bains assured the gathering that the road would be completed soon, reiterating the government’s commitment. However, the conversation quickly shifted gears when Bains remarked that he had raised the issue of replacing Jathedars in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. This comment drew strong opposition from Gargaj., who asserted that such matters are not under the purview of the state legislature.
“The issue of Jathedars is a Panthic matter, not something to be debated in the Vidhan Sabha,” said Jathedar Gurgajj. “Sikh religious matters cannot and should not be decided in political forums.”
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