SGPC Action on Rahul Gandhi Siropa Controversy: 3 suspended, one transferred

September 18, 2025

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has suspended several officials of Gurdwara Baba Buddha Ji, Ramdas following the controversy over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being presented with a ‘siropa’ during his visit. The suspended officials include granthi Kulwinder Singh, a ‘katha vachak’ and a sevadar. Manager Pargat Singh was replaced after being warned.

It is worth noting that Rahul Gandhi had visited the gurdwara while touring flood-affected areas of Amritsar and Gurdaspur. During this, he was presented with a ‘siropa’ while paying obeisance at the Gurudwara Sahib. The controversy erupted after the gurudwara honoured him with the Siropa. It should be noted that there is a complete ban on honoring politicians with Siropa within the Sikh Shrines.

The SGPC said that the suspended staff failed to properly manage the arrangements during Rahul Gandhi’s visit, stressing the need for strict adherence to protocol during high-profile visits to maintain the sanctity and security of Sikh religious institutions.

Earlier, facing criticism, SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami had ordered an inquiry into the incident. Many SGPC members condemned the committee for awarding the Siropa to Rahul Gandhi.

SGPC Chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, while objecting to the honouring of Congress leader, reiterated that giving Siropa from Gurdwara Sahib to Rahul Gandhi, a Congress party leader and member of the Gandhi family, who is considered responsible for the genocide of Sikhs, is not acceptable under any circumstances. He termed it against Sikh dignity and traditions.