Akal Takht Summons 12 AAP MLAs, 3 Leaders After Giaspura's Caste-Bias Claimਗਿਆਸਪੁਰਾ ਦੇ ਜਾਤੀ ਭੇਦਭਾਵ ਦੋਸ਼ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਨੇ 'ਆਪ' ਦੇ 12 ਵਿਧਾਇਕ, 3 ਆਗੂ ਤਲਬ ਕੀਤੇ

The Akal Takht Secretariat has summoned 12 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and three constituency in-charges to appear in person at noon on October 15, 2026, after Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura alleged he was denied entry on Monday because of his caste. The Secretariat rejects the charge and says he was kept out over his earlier remarks against the Jathedar and Sikh institutions, The Tribune and Punjab News Express reported.

Why was the AAP delegation at the Akal Takht?

An AAP delegation led by Amritsar South MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar went to the Secretariat on October 12 to hand over a memorandum about Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi. The party alleges Delhi Police personnel entered the gurdwara on October 10 wearing shoes and without covering their heads, and asked the Jathedar to summon Union Home Minister Amit Shah and fix responsibility, The Tribune reported. Delhi Police and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee have disputed AAP's version of that day. Secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh received the complaint and said it would be placed before the Jathedar.

What does Giaspura allege, and what does the Secretariat say?

Giaspura says staff stopped him from entering on the directions of Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj because he belongs to a reserved caste. Secretariat media adviser Jaskaran Singh called that false and misleading. He said Giaspura was barred because of past remarks that the Secretariat describes as derogatory, objectionable and threatening towards the Jathedar and Sikh institutions. He pointed out that two other AAP MLAs from the same community in the delegation, Dalbir Singh of Baba Bakala and Kulwant Singh Pandori of Mehal Kalan, were allowed in, and that Sikh doors are open to everyone irrespective of caste.

Jaskaran Singh also said Giaspura had made further objectionable remarks about the Darbar Sahib and the Secretariat during the visit, described him as an initiated Sikh, and urged him to apologise to the Sikh community, warning that action was possible if he did not. Giaspura's side of these claims was not available in the reports we checked beyond his caste allegation.

Who has been summoned?

Acting on the Jathedar's directions, Bagicha Singh issued summons late on Monday to 12 MLAs and three in-charges, The Tribune reported. The MLAs are Gurdeep Singh Randhawa (Dera Baba Nanak), Baljinder Kaur (Talwandi Sabo), Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal (Ajnala), Sarwan Singh Dhun (Khem Karan), Jeevanjot Kaur (Amritsar East), Manjinder Singh (Khadoor Sahib), Kulwant Singh (Mehal Kalan), Inderbir Singh Nijjar (Amritsar South), Dalbir Singh (Baba Bakala), Harmeet Singh (Tarn Taran), Jasvir Singh (Urmur) and Karamvir Singh (Dasuya). The in-charges are Sonia Mann (Rajasansi), Gur Iqbal Singh (Qadian) and Joban Singh (Fatehgarh Churian). Giaspura is not on the list reported by The Tribune.

The summons says the delegation had been asked to tell the media that no caste discrimination took place and had agreed to, but did not do so after leaving. Jaskaran Singh said no appointment had been taken for the visit and no list of MLAs was shared in advance.

What did the Secretariat say about gurdwara protests?

Jaskaran Singh said gurdwaras should not be used for political demonstrations or sit-ins, except for struggles grounded in Gurmat, and that protesters should not enter with banners carrying political demands. On the question of police entering Bangla Sahib, he said the gurdwara management was responsible for preventing a breach of maryada and held the DSGMC primarily responsible. He added that the Akal Takht had received more complaints and letters on the incident that would be examined.

Who has the Akal Takht summoned and when?

It has summoned 12 AAP MLAs and three constituency in-charges to appear in person at the Secretariat at noon on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to explain the matter.

Why was MLA Giaspura stopped at the Secretariat?

The Secretariat says it was because of his earlier remarks against the Jathedar and Sikh institutions. Giaspura alleges it was caste-based; the Secretariat denies this.

What did AAP want from the Akal Takht?

AAP asked the Jathedar to act against Amit Shah over Delhi Police personnel entering Gurdwara Bangla Sahib on October 10, a charge that has been disputed by Delhi Police and the DSGMC.