AMRITSAR — The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community, has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Punjab government, alleging that organized social media operations are being used to target Sikh religious institutions and warning that members of the Sikh community would move to shut the alleged centres if authorities fail to act.
The warning was delivered on Sunday by acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj during a Panthic congregation convened by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The gathering took place amid an escalating dispute between the Akal Takht and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government.
Addressing the congregation, Gargaj alleged that two centres operating from Mohali and Chandigarh were coordinating online campaigns aimed at defaming the Akal Takht and other Sikh religious institutions. He further claimed that individuals from Delhi were involved in the activities, but did not present evidence publicly to substantiate the allegations.
"We have repeatedly brought this issue to the government's notice," Gargaj said, according to media reports. He warned that if the Punjab government failed to stop those allegedly responsible within 10 days, "the Panth will march to these centres and ensure that these operations are shut down."
The AAP rejected the allegations. Party spokesperson Baltej Pannu said the party did not operate the type of IT cell or social media centres referred to by the Akal Takht and denied the existence of such facilities.
The congregation also adopted a resolution reaffirming the Akal Takht's supreme authority in matters concerning the Sikh Panth and called for similar meetings across Punjab to strengthen awareness of issues affecting the community, according to reports from the event.
The latest confrontation follows weeks of growing tensions between the Akal Takht and the Punjab government over religious and political disputes, including disagreements surrounding the state's anti-sacrilege legislation and earlier action taken by Sikh clergy against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over a separate controversy. The state government has disputed criticism made by the Sikh religious leadership in those matters.
As of Sunday, the Punjab government had not announced any action in response to the ultimatum beyond the AAP's denial of the allegations. No independent evidence had been made public to verify the Akal Takht's claims regarding the alleged social media operations.
