Chandigarh, January 18

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday questioned the silence of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami over the statement by Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, allegedly equating the election symbol of the Akali Dal with that of the scales of Guru Nanak.

“For us, this takkadi (election symbol of SAD) is no less important than the takkadi of Guru Nanak Sahib,” Harsimrat had said while addressing a crowd on Maghi day.

The Chief Minister in a statement said it is surprising that though Harsimrat had hurt the Sikhs by giving such irresponsible statements, the SGPC is mum on the issue.

Mann said this reflected that Dhami is nothing more than a loyal volunteer of the Akali Dal in general and the Badal family in particular.

The Chief Minister said Harsimrat’s statement came on the day of Maghi but the stoic silence observed by Dhami on the issue even after so many days has vindicated his stand that the SGPC chief is merely a puppet in the hands of the Badals.