RSS is Taking Over Gurdwara in India: Sukhbir Singh Badal

Sukhbir Singh Badal, the chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has leveled serious allegations against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing it of orchestrating a takeover of gurdwaras across India on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking while campaigning for SAD candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, Sukhbir asserted that the BJP’s agenda aims to weaken the Akali Dal by sowing discord among communities, marking a deliberate strategy to undermine their political influence.

In his address, Sukhbir highlighted the BJP-led central government’s alleged interference in non-BJP ruled states, accusing it of destabilizing duly elected governments. He characterized this as part of a broader pattern aimed at consolidating BJP power and marginalizing opposition parties.

Moreover, Sukhbir contended that the RSS, with the backing of the BJP, has extended its influence over significant Sikh institutions, including the Sikh Takhts at Patna and Nanded, as well as the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. He further claimed the establishment of a new governing body to exert control over gurdwaras in Haryana, insinuating a concerted effort to undermine Sikh autonomy and traditional governance structures.

These assertions by Sukhbir Singh Badal underscore the growing apprehension within the Sikh community regarding external interference in their religious affairs and institutions. The accusations against the RSS and BJP reflect deep-seated concerns about attempts to manipulate Sikh religious institutions for political gain, potentially eroding the community’s sense of identity and self-governance.

Sukhbir’s remarks highlight the ongoing tensions between the SAD and the BJP, particularly in the context of Punjab’s political landscape. The allegation of a deliberate strategy to weaken the Akali Dal by fostering divisions resonates with broader narratives of political maneuvering and power struggles within Indian politics.