Amritsar, Dec 28, 2025: Days after Punjab Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the disappearance of 328 ‘saroops’ (sacred copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib, the five Singh Sahiban, the heads of Sikh temporal seats, issued a strong statement urging the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to refrain from interfering in Sikh religious affairs. They warned that continued intervention would attract action under Panthic traditions.
The Singh Sahiban emphasized that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is the democratically elected body responsible for Sikh religious governance and, under the Constitution of India, no government can interfere in the internal matters of any religion. They convened a key meeting at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to discuss issues including the missing saroops, production of films on Sikh subjects, and the conduct of Anand Karaj ceremonies at non-gurdwara venues.
Background of the Missing Saroops Case
The Amritsar Police had registered the FIR on December 7 against 16 people, including a former SGPC chief secretary, in connection with the 2020 disappearance of the saroops from the SGPC’s publication house. Earlier, the SGPC had termed the FIR as a direct challenge to the Akal Takht and an unwarranted encroachment on its administrative rights.
According to the Singh Sahiban, the government is justifying its legal action based on the Ishar Singh Commission report. However, the report itself—specifically page 230—recommends that the matter should be resolved by the Akal Takht authority and SGPC institutions, rather than through police or governmental intervention.
Clergy Criticize Police Inaction and Propaganda Against Sikhs
The order highlighted multiple complaints lodged by SGPC and Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib management regarding hate propaganda targeting Sikhs, which, according to the clergy, have not been acted upon by the Punjab Police. The report noted instances where fake social media accounts impersonating the SGPC were created to spread misinformation, yet no arrests have been made.
In this context, the Singh Sahiban deemed the government’s claim to investigate SGPC’s internal affairs as unjustified. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that over 25 similar complaints submitted by SGPC and Sri Darbar Sahib to Punjab Police are still pending, either due to inaction or because FIRs were never filed.
Page 231 of the Ishar Singh Commission report explicitly states that no political party should derive personal or political gain from the missing saroops issue. The Singh Sahiban cautioned the Punjab government and the ruling party, warning that any further interference would be considered betrayal of the Panth and attract action according to Panthic traditions.
Clarification on SGPC’s Internal Accountability
The Singh Sahiban referenced former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s statement from November 17, 2020, clarifying that the missing saroops issue pertained to administrative corruption and financial negligence, not religious or doctrinal lapses. They noted that the SGPC had already dismissed guilty employees, and any cooperation with the government in the matter would not serve the Panth’s interest.
The controversy over the 328 missing saroops came to light in June 2020, prompting an Akal Takht-appointed panel to investigate. The panel concluded that several SGPC officials were guilty of misconduct, leading to administrative action within the SGPC.
Prohibition on Films and AI Content Depicting Sikh Gurus
In the meeting, the Singh Sahiban also addressed concerns over films, animated content, and AI videos portraying Sikh gurus, their families, martyrs, and other revered personalities. They stressed that such representations without SGPC approval are extremely serious violations in the current digital and AI-driven era.
The SGPC was directed to communicate with major Indian film production houses, enclosing the clergy’s order, to ensure that no Sikh-related historical films or content are produced without explicit SGPC consent.
Rules on Anand Karaj Ceremonies at Non-Gurdwara Venues
The Singh Sahiban reiterated that Anand Karaj ceremonies must only be conducted at gurdwaras. Performing the sacred ceremony at marriage palaces, resorts, beaches, or commercial farmhouses is strictly prohibited.
The order instructed granthis, gurdwara management, sewadars, and ragi jathas to comply fully. Violations would result in strict action against the individuals providing the saroop, the ragi jathas, and the venue owners.
Conclusion
The Singh Sahiban’s directives reinforce the autonomy of Sikh religious institutions and their authority over internal administrative matters. They highlighted the ongoing tension between religious institutions and the state over jurisdiction in spiritual and cultural affairs, emphasizing that the SGPC and Akal Takht have primary authority over all Panthic matters, including sacred texts, religious ceremonies, and historical representations in media.
The AAP government has yet to respond officially to the clergy’s warnings. The situation underscores the continuing sensitivity surrounding religious authority, political interference, and community governance in Punjab, particularly concerning revered Sikh institutions.
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