Yoga guru Baba Ramdev visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, accompanied by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami and other senior leaders. Amritsar: Baba Ramdev Pays Respect at Golden Temple. The visit has sparked concerns within sections of the Sikh community, with many questioning why the SGPC leadership extended such prominence to the
The photograph showing SGPC officials posing with Baba Ramdev at the Golden Temple complex, with the sacred Harmandir Sahib visible in the background, has raised eyebrows among Sikhs who view such gestures as potentially compromising the distinct religious identity of Sikhism.
Critics are demanding an explanation from the SGPC about the protocol and importance given to Ramdev during his visit to the most revered site in the Sikh faith.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding the maintenance of Sikh religious sovereignty and institutional independence. The SGPC, which serves as the apex body managing Sikh gurdwaras and is often referred to as the “Parliament of Sikhs,” is expected by many in the community to safeguard Sikh religious principles and identity. When SGPC leaders are seen as giving special treatment to figures from other religious traditions at the Golden Temple, it often triggers debate about whether the organisation is adequately fulfilling its mandate.
This is not the first time Baba Ramdev’s interactions with Sikh institutions have generated controversy. The yoga guru and Patanjali founder has previously faced criticism from Sikh groups over various issues, making his official reception by SGPC leadership particularly sensitive for many community members who feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
As of now, the SGPC has not issued any official statement explaining the nature or purpose of Ramdev’s visit or addressing the concerns being raised by members of the Sikh congregation. Many are calling for transparency and accountability from the SGPC leadership regarding decisions that affect how Sikhism’s holiest sites are perceived and managed.