Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has held Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann guilty of religious misconduct in connection with the Kapurthala firing incident last year, a statement issued on Sunday by Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat said, reports The Indian Express.
On November 24, 2023, a Punjab Police home guard was killed, and several others injured in a clash which broke out between the Punjab Police and a group of Nihangs at Gurudwara Akal Bunga Cantonment Nihang Singhan at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala.
Police probe found that incident had taken place when a police team had arrived at the Gurudwara to resolve a dispute that broke out between two groups of Nihangs.
The Jathedar’s verdict is based on a report of a sub-committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the alleged “breach of decorum”.
“Firing…breaking the dignity by entering the Gurdwara Sahib with the police wearing shoes and disrupting the Sri Akhand Path Sahib going on inside the Gurdwara Sahib by releasing tear gas shells was an act that deeply hurt Sikh sentiments by disrupting decency and sanctity,” the Jathedar said in the statement.
“According to the report of the sub-committee, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for the act of the police. The CM has been found directly guilty of religious misconduct for breach of decorum and indiscriminate firing,” the Jathedar added.