The estimated budget of the Shiromani Committee for the financial year 2025-26 of Rs 13 billion 86 crore 47 lakh 80 thousand was passed by the members present during the session held at the historic Teja Singh Samundri Hall yesterday amidst cheers. According to Mandwala, the Sikh organization under the leadership of Shiromani Committee President S. Dhami has done important work for the propagation of religion, education, Panthic works and public welfare and this time too, special funds have been arranged for these areas in the budget. Meanwhile, while members belonging to the opposition party walked out of the session in protest against the failure to repeal the two resolutions passed by the internal committee regarding the dismissal of three Jathedars, the annual estimated budget presented by General Secretary Jatha Sher Singh Mand was passed peacefully amidst cheers under the chairmanship of President Harjinder Singh Dhami and in the holy presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. During this, many other important resolutions were also passed, including approving the rules regarding the qualification, appointment, scope of work and retirement of the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib and the decision to constitute a high-level committee of Panthic representatives in this regard. Meanwhile, in the resolution regarding the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib being celebrated in November 2025, the central government was appealed to establish a suitable memorial to make the coming generations aware of the teachings and principles of Guru Sahib. The resolution also demanded that the center establish a national level educational institution or research center in the name of Guru Sahib, issue a special postage stamp and commemorative coins. The Shiromani Committee condemned the statements made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament regarding Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale and his sarcasm on the recitation of Gurbani. In another resolution, the Himachal Pradesh government was urged to take a serious approach to the incidents happening with Sikh pilgrims in Himachal Pradesh and take action against the culprits. Meanwhile, in other resolutions, the Punjab government was urged to pay attention to the pitiful condition of historical places and buildings related to the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and to formulate a solid policy for the preservation of Sikh heritage. Apart from this, a visa office was opened in Amritsar for the convenience of Sikh pilgrims going to visit Gurdwaras in Pakistan and the Center was urged to fix a special reserved quota for Sikhs in the army. Condemning the negative role adopted by the governments in the current farmers’ struggle, the SGPC also appealed in the resolution to withdraw the cases registered against farmer leaders and take right decisions in favor of the farmers. During the session, the SGPC appealed to the Central Government to immediately release the Sikh prisoners, respecting the Sikh sentiments.
Meanwhile, Bhai Manjit Singh Bhura Kohna and Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, who walked out of the session, said that they wanted to talk about the removed Singh Sahibans in the session and a letter with the signatures of 40 members was also submitted to the Shiromani Committee yesterday, but the resolution to reject the resolutions of the internal committee was not included in the agenda. They said that due to the harsh decisions taken by the Jathedars, they have been removed and arbitrary Jathedars have been appointed.
Meanwhile, during the session, some members belonging to the Badal Dal allegedly misbehaved with the opposition member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur and accused her of not giving them the microphone after she was not given time to speak while reading the resolution. Former president Bibi Jagir Kaur, Jatha: Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Landran, Bhai Manjit Singh Bhura Kohna and S: Tohra etc. leaders walked out of the session. Bibi Jagir Kaur, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Bibi Paramjit Kaur and others said that about 42 members had signed on their behalf and demanded that the resolutions passed on February 10 and March 7 regarding the Jathedars be cancelled. This resolution was not considered by the President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami and he has been misbehaved with in the general meeting. He said that he demands that a special general meeting of the Shiromani Committee be called to consider the above resolution. If the Shiromani Committee President does not call this special meeting, then the 15 members have the right to call a general meeting on their own. He said that if the general meeting is not called by the president in the coming days, then 15 members will exercise their authority and call a general meeting and discuss the above issue.
Bibi Paramjit Kaur Landran, a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee belonging to the opposition, said that the former acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib had presented an investigation report about a woman related to him, in which a woman’s character was assassinated. She said that allegations were made about the woman’s conduct without any evidence and she wanted to ask about it, but this was not an internal committee but a meeting of Kauravas in which the president S. Dhami also turned a blind eye like Dhritarashtra.
