SGPC claims fresh ‘meddling’, ‘conspiracy’ by Punjab’s AAP govt as staff form ‘trade union’

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC), the Sikh community's apex elected religious body, has accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of "meddling" and "conspiring" against it after a section of its employees formed a trade union.

The Punjab government cleared the registration of the SGPC Employees Union on July 17 under the Trade Union Act 1926. The SGPC, which is controlled by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has strongly opposed the move, calling it an "unprecedented" and "unconstitutional" step.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has said that the government's move is a "conspiracy" to weaken the SGPC and to interfere in its internal affairs. He has also accused the government of trying to "intimidate" the SGPC employees.

The SGPC Employees Union has said that it was formed to protect the rights of the employees and to ensure that they are treated fairly. The union has also said that it will raise the issues of the employees with the SGPC and the government.

The formation of the SGPC Employees Union is the latest in a series of clashes between the SGPC and the AAP government. The two sides have been at loggerheads over a number of issues, including the control of gurdwaras and the management of the SGPC's properties.

The AAP government has accused the SGPC of being corrupt and of mismanaging its funds. The SGPC has denied the allegations and has accused the government of trying to control the religious affairs of the Sikh community.

The formation of the SGPC Employees Union is likely to further escalate the tensions between the two sides. It remains to be seen how the government and the SGPC will resolve their differences.