Amritsar (TIP): Senior BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of going against its mandate by getting involved in the ongoing farmers’ agitation and giving it a religious colour. SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, however, hit back saying the religious body is well aware of its duties and that Grewal should keep his advice to himself.

Grewal’s reaction came after Bibi Jagir Kaur recently announced that the SGPC will set up temporary tin sheds and provide fans for the benefit of farmers protesting at Delhi borders.

In a letter to Kaur, a copy of which was released to the media, Grewal said, “The prime role of the SGPC is to manage the affairs of the gurdwaras. Being a purely religious body, by getting involved in the farmers’ agitation, which comprises farmers from all religions and castes, the SGPC is going completely against the mandate given to it under ‘The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925’ and ‘Punjab Act 8 of 1925′.”

“Not only the SGPC is going beyond its brief by doing all this but it is also giving the farmers’ agitation a religious colour, which is extremely unfortunate and uncalled for,” he said.

Pointing out that Punjab has always been a volatile state, Grewal said, “From a responsible person like you, who is holding the important chair of SGPC president, any such highly controversial statement can have serious repercussions, which could be extremely detrimental for the peace of Punjab. History will not forgive you for giving a religious colour to this agitation”.

Grewal, a former national secretary of the BJP, also appealed to Kaur that the SGPC should strictly desist from any such activity that “brings disgrace to the religious institution” and should “completely stay away” from the farmers’ agitation.

The SGP chief further said, “Grewal is making a statement against Sikh traditions. His statement as to why the SGPC is helping the farmers is an expression of his ignorance of dharma (righteousness). Grewal does not know that the Gurus always gave priority to sewa (humanity service) and taught to stand with the society.”