Banga gurdwara says CM’s claim on missing ‘saroops’ baseless, demands clarification

The management of Rasokhana Shri Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib gurdwara in Banga has denied Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s claim that 169 ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib were found at the gurdwara, saying the statement is baseless. Amrik Singh Ballowal, a representative of the gurdwara, stated that all ‘saroops’ are accounted for and none match the missing ones from 2014-19.

He said, “We had fully cooperated with the SIT team and given all the record that it sought from us. They had been visiting us for the past four days. When they last came, they said that they were fully satisfied with the record. We don’t know whether SIT presented facts to the CM incorrectly or the CM attempted to gain mileage ahead of his appearance before the Akal Takht, but a wrong statement was issued by Mann from the stage at Muktsar yesterday. The statement was so provoking that it could have triggered a law and order problem but thankfully it was duly taken care of well in time.”

He listed out his record: “Of the 169 ‘saroops’ in the gurdwara, 79 were published prior to 2012. Hence, these ‘saroops’ do not fall in the category of 328 ‘missing saroops’, which date from 2014-19. A total of 107 ‘saroops’ were published by SGPC, and the remaining 62 were printed by private printing machines. Only 30 ‘saroops’ with us were printed in 2014-15 and were installed in 2019. We had deposited 30 worn-out (birad) ‘saroops’ at Goindwal Sahib, in lieu of which we were allotted 20 new ‘saroops’. Ten were taken by the ‘sangat’ of Dosanjh Khurd village from SGPC and they handed them over to us as they were unable to maintain them with decorum. Hence, not a single missing ‘saroop’ is with us.”

Amrik Singh challenged local AAP leaders, saying, “Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi (Banga MLA) and Malvinder Kang (Anandpur Sahib MP) frequently visit our gurdwara. It’s time they take a stance — are they with the CM or the gurdwara and Akal Takht? They must publicly correct the CM if wrong, or risk losing our electoral support. I quit AAP today due to allegations against this revered place and panthic unrest caused by the government. I urge the CM to inspect gurdwaras in his native Satauj village before pointing fingers at us.”