Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
SGPC Chief has become soldier of Sukhbir Badal, not of Guru Sahiban, deeply painful for Panth: CM Mann
People Will Not Allow Return of Beadbi, Goondagardi in Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Babushahi Bureau
Majitha (Amritsar), January 18, 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) leadership, alleging that the SGPC President, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, has abandoned his moral and religious responsibility towards Guru Sahiban and instead chosen to act as a “soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal,” a situation he termed as deeply painful for the Sikh Panth.
Addressing a public gathering in Majitha after laying the foundation stone of 23 rural link roads worth ₹11.32 crore, the Chief Minister said it would have given him immense satisfaction had the SGPC President identified himself as a soldier of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. “But instead, he proudly calls himself a soldier of Sukhbir Badal. What can the Panth expect from a person who aligns himself with those who pushed Punjab into darkness?” he asked.
CM Mann categorically stated that the people of Punjab would never allow any conspiracy to drag the state back into the era of beadbi (sacrilege), goondagardi and fear that prevailed during the Akali rule. “Punjab has suffered enough. The people have not forgotten the atmosphere of terror, sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and firing on innocent protestors witnessed under the Akalis,” he said.
Recalling the past, the Chief Minister said that Majitha once lived under constant fear, where false cases were used as tools of intimidation. “There was a self-styled ‘jarnail’ whose influence spanned Congress and Akali governments alike. People were scared to even speak. Today, that fear has vanished because the people have rejected such politics,” he said.
CM Mann warned that bringing the Shiromani Akali Dal back to power would mean pushing Punjab into a dark and shameful phase again. He said that it was due to the misdeeds of the Akalis and the SGPC that his government was compelled to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case of 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. “Our sole aim is to trace the missing saroops. We have no intention of interfering in religious institutions,” he clarified.
Reaffirming his complete faith in Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Chief Minister said, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme. That is why I chose to appear before the Takht instead of attending the President of India’s function.” He accused the Akalis of repeatedly undermining the sanctity of Sikh institutions by appointing and removing Jathedars at will.
In a major political announcement, CM Mann declared AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill as the party’s candidate from Majitha for the 2027 Assembly elections. “The people of Majitha will now send a representative who believes in decision-making and accountability, not intimidation and entitlement,” he said, adding that AAP represents a new political culture where people are partners in governance, not petitioners.
Highlighting his government’s achievements, CM Mann said that free electricity to 90 percent households, uninterrupted power supply to farmers, Aam Aadmi Clinics, Schools of Eminence and massive road infrastructure upgrades reflect governance focused on public welfare. He said Punjab has become power surplus and is emerging as a leading state in development.
Referring to border residents, the Chief Minister called them true patriots and said that in-principle approval has been granted to shift the border fence closer to the International Border, which would allow farmers to cultivate thousands of acres currently lying beyond the fencing.
On infrastructure, CM Mann said that of the ₹11.32 crore allocated for Majitha’s link roads, ₹9.94 crore would be spent on renovation and ₹1.38 crore on maintenance over the next five years. He added that Punjab has nearly 43,000 km of link roads and that a historic decision has been taken to ensure their maintenance, backed by AI-based surveys and a CM Flying Squad, resulting in savings of ₹226.89 crore.
Earlier, PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO welcomed the Chief Minister. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, MLA Sarwan Singh Dhunn, senior AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill and other leaders were present on the occasion.