In 1986 the sarbat khalsa, Akaal Takht Sahib, 5 member panthic commitee, Taksal and all other jathebandia jointly excommunicated Baba Santa Singh for helping the government rebuild akaal takht sahib and going against the khalsa panth by supporting indira gandhi. Statements by Baba Santa Singh were made against the Karkoo Singh and Sant Jarnail Singh, many members of the Dal Panth left him then. . . wasnt baba Surjeet Singh one of those who left?
Note - Baba Nihaal Singh and Baba Daya Singh both helped sant jarnail singh.
In august of 86 Santa Singh did his own Sarbat Khalsa.
In the 1990s he was forgiven apparently at akaal takht sahib - what did he ask maafee for? swearing at the karkoos or helping the government? - if it was only one of these and not both then i dont think the panth forgave him, a jathedar or a few politicians may have however. I may be wrong and if he did ask for maaffeee of everything, then there should not be an issue with him anymore.
No one is saying he has not got gyaan or didnt have kamai, it would have been better if the singhs just did baba chet singh jees barsi