Often intertwining with Sikhs and the principles of Sikhi—whether as direct donors, the vehicles of philanthropy, or the intended beneficiaries—Punjab’s relief story is steeped in the ethic of seva. Ever since the devastating floods swept through the state, a wide spectrum of benefactors—individual contributors, community organisations, NGOs, corporates, and members of the Indian diaspora—have stepped forward with generous support. These efforts, ranging from grassroots contributions to multi-crore pledges, have created a dynamic arena where philanthropy, politics, and publicity constantly intersect.
Corporate Spotlight: Ramdev’s Patanjali ₹1 Crore
On October 1, 2025, during his visit to Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, Baba Ramdev handed over ₹1 crore to the SGPC for flood relief. He declared: “The teachings and blessings of the Sikh Gurus were for the entire humanity… the sacred place established by the Gurus does not discriminate based on religion, caste, or creed, and the Gurus protected Sanatan Dharma through their sacrifices.” The SGPC acknowledged the donation, giving Patanjali both national visibility and symbolic legitimacy (video clip).
Political Muscle: Cash Bundles and Diesel Tankers
Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal was filmed distributing wads of cash and dispatching tankers of diesel and fodder to villages. Whether funded personally, through the party, or pooled donations, the impact was the same: visible, immediate aid that blurred lines between philanthropy and campaign optics.
Factional Pledge: ₹10 Crore from Rebel Akalis
The Shiromani Akali Dal faction led by Giani Harpreet Singh, with support from Surjit Singh Rakhra and and his brother, U.S.-based millionaire Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, announced a ₹10 crore pledge for relief. Media headlines amplified the figure, boosting the faction’s credibility, though questions remain on actual utilisation and FCRA compliance.
Diaspora Philanthropy: S.P.S. Oberoi’s Lifesaving Legacy
Contributing his mite to flood relief—without political or religious identification—Dubai-based philanthropist Dr S.P.S. Oberoi has once again stepped forward. Through the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust, whose very name is rooted in universal Sikh values, Oberoi is already celebrated for paying diyya (“blood money”) to free Indians from death row in the Gulf. His work, recognised over decades, has saved lives across caste and region. That credibility—earned through impartial humanitarian action—carries enormous weight in Punjab, where many families depend on Gulf remittances and see in Oberoi a rare example of seva that transcends affiliations.
Global Relief Brand: Khalsa Aid in the Villages
Khalsa Aid, the UK-based NGO, routinely reaches some of the remotest corners of the world—war zones, disaster sites, and strife-torn regions—mobilising diaspora networks at speed. Supporters argue it has done as much as any modern organisation to familiarise global audiences with the Khalsa Panth’s ethic of seva—service to all, without discrimination—through visible, on-the-ground relief. Critics counter that its work can tilt toward spectacle, helping keep donations flowing even when measurable impact is contested. In Punjab’s floods, however, its supply chains and volunteers were undeniably quick to act. Its founder Ravi Singh remains controversial in India (his account has been restricted at times), and he recently underwent a kidney transplant in the UK—yet the organisation’s capacity to organise relief rapidly has continued.
The ‘Rangla Punjab’ row: transparency or PM CARES redux?
a.) A New Fund, Familiar Concerns
Even as donations poured in, another controversy arose. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the “Chief Minister Rangla Punjab Fund (under Rangla Punjab Society)” for rebuilding, promoted with 80G tax exemption and CSR eligibility. Its portal lists a DARPAN ID and direct account details.
b.) Opposition Objection: PM CARES Comparison
But Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa urged people not to donate, comparing it to PM CARES during the pandemic—outside RTI scrutiny and not under CAG audit. He advised that contributions be sent instead to the statutory Punjab CM Relief Fund, which is accountable under transparency laws.
c.) Government’s Rebuttal
AAP leaders countered that the Congress was undermining relief. CM Mann promised regular disclosures and emphasised that he chairs the fund personally. Yet the oversight question—whether the new fund will be RTI-accessible or CAG-audited—remains unresolved, leaving the potential donors uncertain.
FCRA reality check: what SGPC can (and cannot) receive from abroad
Amidst the swirl of pledges, one compliance point is vital. The SGPC does not hold blanket authorisation to accept foreign funds. In 2020, the Union Home Ministry granted FCRA registration specifically to the association that manages langar at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Thus, foreign donations earmarked for langar are lawful, but those for wider relief are not covered. The SGPC’s portal directs donors only to this approved channel. Relief beyond langar requires separate compliant entities, failing which donors and recipients risk legal complications.
Why “aid” is irresistible political capital
Instant visuals. Cash bundles, tankers, food packets: relief made tangible, branded and photogenic.
Narrative control. Donors shape the story—we delivered when the state did not—which voters remember.
Bypassing red tape. Private giving moves faster than bureaucratic procedures, creating a contrast with state sluggishness.
Faction-building. Large pledges (like ₹10 crore) provide instant credibility to political challengers and rebels.
Diaspora multiplier. NRI donations amplify both funds and prestige, with international headlines reinforcing clout.
Moral halo. Associating aid with Sikh institutions or symbols confers sanctity—even when accountability is weak.
Insist on receipts and utilisation certificates. Always ask which entity is receiving funds—party, trust, society, or statutory relief account.
Check FCRA status. From abroad, ensure donations are routed to authorised accounts with proper registration.
Prefer statutory funds for transparency. Until RTI and audit clarity is provided, donors may be safer choosing the CM Relief Fund.
For the SGPC and Sikh bodies
Clarify legal scope in every appeal. Say upfront whether donations are for langar (FCRA-approved) or for wider relief.
No political branding. Aid routed through gurdwaras should avoid party logos or optics.
Independent audits. Publish third-party audited reports with vendor details and district-wise allocation.
Sikh tradition casts seva as quiet duty, rooted in humility and universality. Modern politics, however, recasts it as spectacle—loud, branded, and transactional. In Punjab’s flood relief, Sikhs have appeared everywhere in this interplay: as donors, as the vehicles of philanthropy (through gurdwaras, trusts and NGOs), and as the beneficiaries. Lives have indeed been helped, but narratives and optics have been minted alongside.
The challenge is not to restrain generosity, but to bind it firmly to transparency and accountability, so that the Sikh ethos of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’—the welfare of all—remains the guiding principle, not a marketing slogan. Aid must be measured by what it delivers, not the headlines it earns. Until then, every crore pledged, every truck or tanker dispatched, and every fund announced will continue to carry both a helping hand and a political shadow.