Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday questioned the continued silence of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia, as well as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, over allegations made by a Bahrain-based woman who was staying at an SGPC sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said he had already held around four press conferences on the issue, but questions raised by members of the Sikh community had still not received answers.
Targeting Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Pannu said she was participating in programmes and rallies on women's issues, but had remained silent over allegations concerning a woman who allegedly stayed at an SGPC sarai for several months.
“Why is she not answering these questions? When questions are being raised about the treatment of a woman and the use of SGPC resources, why is there silence?” Pannu said.
Pannu also questioned Bikram Singh Majithia for releasing videos instead of holding a press conference.
“If Bikram Singh Majithia has answers, he should come before the media and respond to the questions,” he said.
On SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Pannu said he had also released a video instead of directly facing the media.
Pannu claimed that when reporters questioned Dhami in Patiala on Tuesday, he again declined to comment on the matter, saying he had come there for some other work.
“When will Harjinder Singh Dhami hold a press conference and answer these questions?” Pannu asked.
The AAP leader said the issue should not be treated merely as a political controversy, as questions had been raised about an SGPC organisation, the use of SGPC resources and the alleged stay of a woman there for several months.
He said the Sikh community had the right to raise questions and seek clear answers on the matter.
