Amritsar : Twelve Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators appeared before the Akal Takht acting jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on Friday to offer a formal apology. The delegation sought to distance themselves from inflammatory remarks made by their party colleague, Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura, regarding alleged caste-based discrimination at the Sikh temporal seat.
The controversy stems from an incident on October 12, when Giaspura attempted to enter the Akal Takht secretariat alongside an AAP delegation. The group had arrived to present a memorandum concerning police entry into Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. However, officials at the secretariat blocked Giaspura from entering, citing his history of making objectionable statements directed at the jathedar and various Sikh institutions.
Legislators Admit Lapse in Response to Allegations
Following his exclusion, Giaspura claimed to the media that he had been barred specifically because of his Dalit identity, while also making disparaging comments about the secretariat. The acting jathedar subsequently summoned the remaining members of the delegation, noting that they had failed to immediately refute these claims or clarify the situation to the press at the time.
In a written submission presented to Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Tek Singh Dhanuala, the 12 MLAs acknowledged their failure to address the situation correctly. They admitted that they did not clarify to reporters that Giaspura’s allegations were baseless and that his comments were inappropriate. The legislators formally disowned the remarks, categorising them as Giaspura’s personal views rather than the party’s stance.
Reaffirming Institutional Integrity
During the meeting, the AAP representatives reiterated their respect for the Akal Takht, stating clearly that no individual is ever denied entry to the site on the basis of caste, race, or colour. The acting jathedar has since directed the delegation to issue a public clarification to the media to rectify the misinformation caused by the initial allegations.
The incident has also drawn legal scrutiny. The management of Darbar Sahib has filed a formal complaint with the Amritsar police commissioner against Giaspura, alleging that his statements caused hurt to religious sentiments and damaged the reputation of Sikh institutions. The investigation into those claims remains a separate matter as the party works to resolve the tension with the religious leadership.
