Amritsar, Sept. 19 -- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) decision to discipline its staff, including sacking a granthi, for offering a siropa (robe of honour) to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a gurdwara in Ramdas on September 15 has reignited a long-standing debate over the intersection of politics and Sikh religious practices. The SGPC on Wednesday suspended a preacher and an attendant, dismissed a granthi from service and issued a warning and transferred the manager for violating "maryada" (religious code of conduct) for presenting a siropa at Gurdwara Smadh Baba Budha Sahib in Ramdas to Rahul. While the SGPC maintains the action was taken due to a violation of the "maryada" and defiance of a recent resolution barring VIPs from being honoured inside the Darbar Hall, the move has drawn sharp criticism - not just from political quarters, but also from within the Panthic community. The incident has prompted concerns that SGPC's decisions on religious matters are increasingly being influenced by political affiliations, particularly those aligned with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which has traditionally dominated the SGPC. SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur, in a Facebook post, questioned the rationale behind targeting Rahul Gandhi. "If Indira Gandhi ordered an attack on the Darbar Sahib (Operation Bluestar), the community did not forgive her. She had to pay the price. But what is the fault of her grandson, who was just a child at that time? Rahul Gandhi has visited the Darbar Sahib many times with humility and has never spoken against Sikhs." Her comments have resonated with many who feel the SGPC is selective in enforcing religious protocol, depending on the political identity of the individual being honoured. Amarjit Singh, professor of religious studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, said: "These controversies are fallout of interference of politics into religious affairs. Decisions about giving or not giving siropas are politically motivated. The SGPC does what is suited to it. If there is a uniform policy or protocol of siropa offering and its implementation without any bias, such controversies do not erupt." Gurmeet Singh Sidhu, professor of Sikh studies at Punjabi University, Patiala echoed similar concerns, stating: "A siropa is an honour, not a souvenir. It must be reserved for those with a genuine contribution to the Panth. Arbitrary or politically-driven offerings degrade its meaning." The latest incident is not isolated. Over the years, siropa offerings - or refusals - have triggered political tensions and public criticism....