Chandigarh, Oct 11 (PTI) AAP on Sunday condemned the alleged entry of Delhi Police personnel into Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in the capital, accusing them of violating the sanctity of the shrine.
The party demanded resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, immediate release of all protesters detained during Saturday’s protest and strict action against police personnel involved in the violation of the gurdwara’s ‘maryada’.
AAP MLA and party’s chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said, “The actions of Delhi Police have brought back painful memories of Operation Bluestar and the events of 1984, which the Sikh community has never forgotten.
“The BJP has repeatedly criticised the Congress over 1984, but the incident at Bangla Sahib has exposed its hypocrisy. The BJP and the Congress may be political rivals, but their approach towards suppressing Sikhs and their voices appears no different.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah must resign and accept responsibility for the police action.”
He appealed to the Akal Takht jathedar to take serious notice of the incident and called upon Sikh organisations to raise their voices against the “violation”.
AAP MLA Baljinder Kaur said, “October 10 was a black day. Delhi Police detained people indiscriminately, while metro services, buses and traffic were disrupted to prevent protesters from reaching their destination.”
“Videos showing uniformed police personnel entering Gurdwara Bangla Sahib with shoes on and their heads uncovered, and forcibly removing people from the gurdwara’s ‘sarai’, are deeply disturbing.
The ‘sarai’ provides shelter to people arriving from across the world, and such treatment inside a sacred place is unacceptable, Kaur said.
Questioning the “silence” of the Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), she said, “When such a serious incident has taken place, why are Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami silent?
Are political understandings with the BJP more important to them than Sikh sentiments? I urge the jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to take a firm stand and demand accountability.”
Another AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura said the alleged entry of police personnel into gurdwara premises wearing shoes and with their heads uncovered is an act that can neither be forgotten nor forgiven.
“Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is associated with the selfless service rendered by Guru Harkrishan Sahib to the poor and needy during the epidemic of 1664. A place associated with compassion, humanity and service deserves the highest respect,” he said. PTI CHS ARB
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