Chandigarh, January 18, 2026:
In a development that has once again brought together questions of faith, politics, and governance in Punjab, Banga MLA Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi on Sunday announced his resignation as chairman of the Punjab State Container and Warehousing Corporation (Conware), along with relinquishing the Cabinet rank status accorded to him by the state government. His decision comes amid a growing controversy surrounding the alleged disappearance and recovery of several ‘saroops’ (sacred copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest scripture of Sikhism, from a gurdwara in Nawanshahr district.

Kumar said his decision was driven by deep personal anguish and hurt after doubts were raised about the Rasokhana Shri Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib Gurdwara, a revered religious site near Banga where he has long been a devotee. The controversy escalated earlier this week after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann publicly stated that the police had recovered 169 ‘saroops’ from the gurdwara during an investigation into the disappearance of 328 sacred copies of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Addressing a gathering at the Maghi Mela in Muktsar on January 14, Chief Minister Mann had said that of the 169 ‘saroops’ recovered from a religious place near Banga in Nawanshahr, only 30 had proper records, while 139 had no official documentation. His remarks immediately triggered concern and outrage among sections of the Sikh community, for whom the handling, storage, and documentation of the Guru Granth Sahib are matters governed by strict religious protocol, or ‘maryada’.

The management committee of the Rasokhana Shri Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib Gurdwara swiftly rejected the chief minister’s claims, asserting that all ‘saroops’ present at the gurdwara were properly accounted for and maintained in accordance with Sikh religious traditions. The committee maintained that there had been no violation of ‘maryada’ and that the sanctity of the gurdwara had been preserved at all times.

Caught in the middle of this sensitive and emotionally charged dispute, Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi chose to step down from his government-appointed role. In a video message posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, the Banga MLA spoke at length about his emotional connection to the gurdwara and the pain he felt after allegations were raised against it.

“I have been coming here to seek the blessings of Raja Sahib. I feel that some doubts were raised towards the ‘Darbar’ a few days ago that the ‘bhog’ of ‘Akhand Path Sahib’ was not performed as per ‘maryada’ and that the ‘saroops’ here were also not as per ‘maryada’,” Kumar said in the video. “This has hurt the sentiments of the ‘sangat’, including my own. For me, this place is the home of God.”

Emphasising that his decision was a matter of conscience rather than political pressure, Kumar announced that he was giving up both his Cabinet rank status and his position as chairman of Conware. “I today announce to relinquish the Cabinet rank status given by the Punjab government and resign from the post of the chairman of Conware,” he said, adding that no position or title was more important to him than his faith and the dignity of a religious institution he deeply respected.

Kumar also stated that he intended to convey what he described as the “truth” of the matter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which currently governs Punjab. “I pray to God to give me the strength so that I can tell the truth to the chief minister and the AAP leadership,” he said.

The resignation adds another layer of complexity to Kumar’s already turbulent political journey. A two-time MLA from Banga, Kumar was originally associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a party with deep roots in Sikh politics. In 2024, he defected to the Aam Aadmi Party, a move that earned him a prominent government role but also landed him in legal and political trouble. He is currently facing a disqualification plea under the anti-defection law for switching parties, a case that remains pending.

Despite the ongoing disqualification proceedings, the Bhagwant Mann government had appointed Kumar as chairman of the Punjab State Container and Warehousing Corporation last year, granting him Cabinet rank status. The appointment was seen by many as a strategic political move, aimed at strengthening AAP’s position in the Doaba region, particularly among voters familiar with Kumar’s local influence.

The larger controversy over missing ‘saroops’ of the Guru Granth Sahib has reignited painful memories in Punjab, where incidents of sacrilege have previously led to widespread protests, political upheaval, and even loss of life. The disappearance, mishandling, or improper documentation of sacred scriptures is an extremely sensitive issue, cutting across party lines and touching the core of Sikh religious sentiment.

The Punjab Police’s special investigation team is continuing its probe into the missing 328 ‘saroops’, and the government maintains that the investigation is being conducted with seriousness and respect for religious sensitivities. However, conflicting statements from political leaders and religious bodies have added to public confusion and mistrust.

Kumar’s resignation appears to be an attempt to distance himself—and, by extension, the gurdwara he reveres—from the political fallout of the controversy. By stepping down, he has sought to underline that the matter should be addressed on religious and legal grounds, rather than being entangled with political office or personal ambition.

As Punjab grapples with yet another issue where governance intersects with deeply held religious beliefs, the episode underscores the delicate balance that political leaders in the state must maintain. For now, Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi’s resignation stands as a symbolic gesture—one that reflects the enduring power of faith in Punjab’s public life and the high political cost of controversies involving the Sikh holy book.