Chandigarh-In a joint written press statement, Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar-Surjeet) General Secretary S. Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Senior Vice President S. Sucha Singh Chhotepur alleged that Akali Dal Badal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler, during a press conference, displayed letters written by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib or by the Akal Takht Secretariat to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
They questioned how Arshdeep Singh Kler had obtained these letters and presented them to the media as evidence when they were not available on any public platform. They termed the matter extremely serious and said it reflected that politics had become more important than maryada (religious decorum) for such people.
Both leaders stated that when a person is summoned by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat, the matter remains strictly private between the Jathedar sahib and the concerned individual. Until the issue reaches the stage of a formal pronouncement from the Takht, it is the responsibility of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat to maintain confidentiality.
However, they expressed surprise that videos of the discussions between the Jathedars and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann are circulating on social media, and that letters written by the Jathedar are being read out publicly by a spokesperson of a political party during a press conference. Both leaders appealed to Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to take immediate notice of the matter and seek explanations from those responsible for making the videos and letters public. They pointed out that earlier, portions of the video involving Virsa Singh Valtoha had also been leaked in a similar manner.