A new controversy is in the making after BJP's National Secretary & former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed that Rakab Ganj Gurdwara was built after demolishing a mosque at the sight. Manjinder Singh Sirsa made the controversial claim 2 months back that the historic Rakab Ganj Gurdwara was built by Sikh warrior Baba Baghel Singh after demolishing a mosque. However, Sirsa's Rakab Ganj Gurudwara gained prominence on social media a few days back promoting massive reactions in the Sikh communities. Notably, Sirsa cited the book of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest body of Sikhs, to confirm his claim.
For the unversed, the Rakab Ganj Gurdwara is located behind Parliament in New Delhi. Sirsa's claim has sparked controversy and fueled a debate about the origins of the gurdwara and counter-claims being made on its construction. Manjinder Singh Sirsa in his viral speech was heard saying that here the Mughal Sultanate came the Gurudwara Sahib was removed and a mosque was established. I am not saying this, the book of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is telling this. Suraj is also appearing on page number 256 of the book. What is written - Whoever destroys everything, destroys everything.
As per reports, the SGPC book suggests that Dashmesh Pita ji came here in 1707 and built Gurughar in place of Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Sirsa stated that today we want to forget our generals at those places. This is the thing, we are forgetting our history. I request the Delhi Committee to honor the families of our great generals by calling them here.
On Manjinder Sirsa's claim, his rival Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is President of the Delhi unit of the Sukhbir Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal, penned a letter to Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, seeking action against Sirsa, saying no mosque was demolished to make the gurdwara. Surna further alleged that Sirsa just wanted to show that not only RSS but also Sikhs had demolished the mosque. Sirsa is doing this to please the BJP. Sarna alleged that Sirsa has been betraying the Sikhs, for which he has got the post of secretary in BJP.
The Rakab Ganj gurdwara was built in 1783 after Baba Baghel Singh (1730-1802) had captured Delhi.