Jalandhar / Amritsar, February 19, 2026 — In a dramatic press conference that has sent ripples across Sikh political and religious circles, Giani Raghbir Singh, former Akal Takht jathedar and current head granthi of the Golden Temple, accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Badal family of entrenched corruption, mismanagement, and undermining the sanctity of Sikh institutions.
Addressing media in Jalandhar on Wednesday, Giani Raghbir Singh made scathing allegations that the SGPC has become a “hub of corruption” under decades of control by the Badal political family, referencing senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership. He claimed that numerous irregularities have surfaced in financial dealings, employee placements, land transactions, and religious practices.
Key Allegations Raised
Corruption Within SGPC: Singh asserted that corrupt officials have been rewarded with better positions despite engaging in bribery and misuse of authority.
Bribery in Religious Rituals: He claimed that traditional fees for religious services such as Akhand Path Sahib are being supplemented by illicit payments of up to ₹5 lakh, benefiting corrupt elements.
Missing Saroops: The former jathedar called for transparency over the reported disappearance of 328 saroops (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib, a deeply sensitive issue for the Sikh community.
Sale of SGPC Assets and Misuse of Funds: Singh alleged that SGPC-owned lands and properties have been wrongfully disposed of and funds misappropriated, including irregular leasing practices that have financially harmed the institution.
Call for Panthic Action
In a historic appeal, Giani Raghbir Singh urged Sikh organisations — including Nihang bodies, Takht councils, and Singh Sabhas — to convene a Sarbat Khalsa, a traditional assembly of the entire Sikh community, to reclaim the SGPC from what he described as the “monopoly of one single family” and restore dignity to the Panth’s highest religious governing bodies.
He also acknowledged that his outspoken stance could cost him his current role, noting his earlier removal from the Akal Takht position and pressures to issue politically influenced statements, which he claimed he refused.
Political and Public Reactions
The press conference has ignited swift responses from political and civic leaders:
Harjot Singh Bains, a cabinet minister in the Punjab government, described the revelations as “extremely alarming” and called for a high-level impartial probe into the allegations, saying they reflect a deep crisis within the SGPC’s administration.
AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar echoed this urgency, warning that disclosures about land deals and institutional decline have shaken the Sikh sangat and underscored the need for accountability.
Other Sikh leaders have reacted with a mix of support and caution, with calls for verification of facts and demands that religious bodies address these claims promptly.
Broader Context
The latest controversy follows ongoing tensions within Sikh institutional politics, especially regarding the role of SGPC, the influence of political families in religious bodies, and the autonomy of the Akal Takht — the highest seat of temporal authority in Sikhism. Previous decisions, including tankhaiya declarations against SAD leadership and debates over the mismanagement of sacred heritage items, have already stirred debate among devotees and leaders alike.
What’s Next
As calls for greater transparency and reform gain traction, the Sikh community now closely watches whether these accusations lead to formal investigations, institutional introspection, or broader mobilisations like the proposed Sarbat Khalsa — a move with deep historical precedent and potential for profound impact on Sikh governance structures.