Thin Attendance, High Propaganda Spending Raise Questions About SGPC Budget Credibility

AAP Punjab Leader Criticizes SGPC Budget, Alleges Badal Family Influence

A senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) official has launched a scathing critique of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) recently approved ₹1,487.41 crore budget, claiming it reflects political favoritism and misplaced priorities while neglecting crucial Sikh community needs.

Harchand Singh Barsat, AAP Punjab State General Secretary and Punjab Mandi Board Chairman, highlighted several concerns about both the budget’s content and the process through which it was approved. He pointed out that only 85 members of the full 147-member SGPC attended the critical budget session, with many serving despite expired terms.

“The poor attendance at such a crucial meeting demonstrates a casual approach toward the institution’s responsibilities,” Barsat said. “Those who cannot even participate meaningfully in the budget session have no moral right to continue in their positions.”

The SGPC, established in 1925, serves as the apex religious body managing Sikh gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Its budget decisions impact religious practices, educational institutions, and charitable activities throughout the region.

Among Barsat’s specific criticisms was an ₹8 crore allocation to Miri-Piri College, which he alleged shows preferential treatment to an institution connected to the influential Badal family. The Badals, through the Shiromani Akali Dal party, have historically wielded significant influence over the SGPC’s affairs.

“This allocation raises serious questions about the impartiality of the SGPC and suggests that political considerations may be influencing budget decisions that should be based solely on community needs,” Barsat stated.

He also questioned the substantial ₹120 crore earmarked for what the budget terms “religious propaganda,” noting that the SGPC has previously faced allegations of fund misuse under similar budget categories. The significant allocation, representing about 8% of the total budget, comes at a time when many Sikh religious institutions are seeking more transparency in financial management.

According to Barsat, the budget’s priorities reflect outdated thinking and failed to address several pressing community concerns. He pointed to the absence of funding for the upcoming 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ravidas, a revered figure whose teachings on equality have significant cultural importance in Punjab.

“Where is the roadmap for modern education? Where is the technology focus for Sikh youth? There’s no clear strategy for addressing environmental challenges or supporting underprivileged children within the community,” Barsat said, characterizing the budget as “directionless” and primarily focused on administrative expenses rather than community welfare.

The criticism comes amid growing calls for reform within the SGPC, which has faced challenges in connecting with younger generations of Sikhs while maintaining its traditional role as guardian of Sikh religious affairs.

Financial experts note that religious institutions across India are increasingly being held to higher standards of fiscal responsibility and transparency. The SGPC, with its substantial budget and property holdings, faces particular scrutiny over its financial decisions.

Barsat concluded his critique with a call for early elections to the SGPC, arguing that only through renewed accountability and more people-centric spending can the institution restore its credibility and strengthen its connection with the Sikh community.

The SGPC has not yet issued an official response to these criticisms. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between traditional religious governance and calls for modernization and transparency that religious institutions across India are navigating in the 21st century.