Latest in DSGMC turf war, Manjinder Sirsa sacks Manjit Singh GK’s confidant, sends him notice

JALANDHAR: The turf war between outgoing Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK and general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa is now in the open. Sirsa has issued a show cause notice to GK’s close confidant and former DSGMC media adviser Parminder Pal Singh and removed him from post.

In the notice, Sirsa raised question on the bills raised by a PR agency which were approved by the former media adviser. He ordered the removal of Parminder Pal on Saturday and sent him a notice, stating that bills of PR firm ‘Mahajan Communications’ appeared fake, fabricated and exorbitant. In fact, the notice even implicated GK, as it mentioned that these were approved first by Parminder Pal and then by the DSGMC president last month. Giving time of three days, Sirsa asked him why should action not be initiated against him. Sirsa also constituted a two-member committee to investigate the “fake bills” and got the office of media adviser locked.

Parminder Pal on his Facebook posted that the notice was issued to him in ati-utsah (hurry). He said the PR firm was engaged for projection of various tasks undertaken by DSGMC and he signed the bills only after seeing the results produced by the firm. Denying any wrongdoing, he said, “My three kids are studying in a DSGMC school and they were entitled to a fee-waiver for being amritdhari (an initiated Sikh initiated into the Khalsa) but I never availed that and paid fee of Rs 15 lakh to the school for six years. I provided my services on honorary basis and never drew a single penny for that.” Asked if it was the result of tussle between GK and Sirsa, he refused to comment.

GK, other office-bearers and executive members have already resolved to hold elections three months before the schedule. The DSGMC chief has handed over the charge to vice-president Harmeet Singh Kalka, while Sirsa is holding his office. Ten days back SAD president Sukhbir Badal had also dissolved party units in Delhi, Rajasthan and UP.

In his reply submitted to Kalka and Sirsa, that the notice was “false, misconceived and devoid of any merits” and amounted to “misuse of power”, He also pointed out that no letter or notice was sent to him earlier.

In the evening a circular, dated December 22, 2018, and signed by the DSGMC general manager, was also sent to mediapersons which mentioned that Parminder Pal had been removed from the post and all statements would now be issued by Sirsa or Kalka. Meanwhile SAD office secretary and spokesperson Charanjit Singh Brar confirmed that Parminder Pal had been removed from the post of national spokesperson of the party.

GK has said that he would not hold office of religious body till he is cleared of allegations of corruption levelled against him. He had also said that he was setting a precedent.