Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing its leaders of politicising religious institutions for personal and financial gain.
Addressing a public gathering, CM Mann alleged that the Akalis, particularly the Badal family, had turned the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) into a “Shiromani Golak Prabandhak Committee.” He claimed that the Akalis misused their political clout to interfere in religious matters, including manipulating appointments of Jathedars at Sri Akal Takht Sahib for political convenience.
“The sanctity of the SGPC and Sri Akal Takht Sahib was compromised for narrow political interests,” Mann said, accusing the SAD of twisting religious edicts to mislead the public and protect their own agenda.
He further alleged that the Akalis not only drained public funds during their tenure but also misappropriated money meant for religious institutions. Mann criticised their governance, calling it a period of “political and religious exploitation” that inflicted lasting damage on Punjab.
The Chief Minister also accused the SAD leadership of ignoring the underprivileged while enriching themselves and their allies. “The prayers of the poor reach the divine, but so do their curses. The Badals are now facing the consequences of their actions,” he said, adding that Punjab’s people will not forget the injustices committed under Akali rule.
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