Chandigarh: The jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, Friday said the hoisting of the Khalsa flag at the Red Fort on Republic Day was “not a crime” and it was “not a Khalistan symbol”.
In a video message, Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh also advised the leaders of the farmers agitation to continue to talk with the government and if needed “take a few steps backward, giving up obstinacy”.
The Akal Takht is the highest seat of authority of the Khalsa (the collective body of the Sikhs) and its jathedar’s statement is considered to have immense religious weight.
“Several unfortunate events happened on Republic Day in Delhi where farmers have been agitating against the three central farm laws. Violence in any form, whether it was the police beating up farmers or the farmers raising their hands on the police, is unfortunate and condemnable. However, if such untoward incidents happen during an agitation, ultimately the responsibility lies with the leaders of the agitation, who are expected to keep the protesters in discipline,” he said.
“However, a lot of baseless hullabaloo has been generated over the hoisting of the Khalsa flag on an empty flag post at the Red Fort. Every year, when the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee organises the Fateh Diwas, the Khalsa flag adorns the Red Fort.”
Singh added: “Two Khalsa flags adorned the tableau from Punjab in the Republic Day parade that day, which was themed on the life of Guru Teg Bahadur (the ninth Guru of the Sikhs).The Sikh regiment posted in the Galwan Valley raises both the Indian tricolour and the Khalsa flag.”
Singh said to call it a “symbol of Khalistan is wrong”.
“The Khalsa flag is put up in gurdwaras or when people are serving langar etc. Wherever it is put, the Khalsa nishan (symbol) signifies that there is no place for sin here. And that at this place the hungry will get food, the homeless will get shelter, the ill will get medicines. The Khalsa flag adorns nagar kirtans when they move across cities. It is not a crime to use this flag and this kind of propaganda against this act needs to stop.”
Also read: ‘Conspiracy’ to storm Delhi was hatched after farm laws were passed in Sept: Delhi Police FIR
‘Wise to make sure the doors for talks are not shut’
The Akal Takht head also said “it has been seen quite often that when crowds are agitating, the real miscreants who create trouble are generally let off and innocents arrested for nothing”.
He said the leaders of the agitation should ensure that the protestors abide by discipline. “Instead of indulging in blame game (among various farmer groups) efforts should be made to retain peace,” he advised.
Singh added that the ultimate solution lies in continuing talks with the government and “it would be wise to make sure that the doors for talks are not shut”.
“If needed both the government and leaders can take a few steps backwards, giving up obstinacy,” he added.
Singh concluded by saying that he prayed for the welfare of all farmers sitting at various borders across the country that they retain courage and wisdom, and wished that they all come back and get reunited with their families soon.
Also read: Thinner crowds, fear of arrests, clueless farmers — Ghazipur, Singhu day after R-Day violence
Let me challenge this “Giani” to then fly tricolor on Golden Temple or Akal Takht. Surely if raising sikh flag on red fort is not a crime, then raising tricolor on Golden Temple is also not a crime. But in my life I have never seen a tricolor fly on ANY gurudwara. Yes, I have seen posters of Bhindranwale in almost every Gurudwara.
Wise words
No media outrage on so called religious priest, you people show your outrage only if he is hindu.
From day one, the farmers’ protest came to be seen as a Sikh-cenric protest that had a political dimension to it, and the actions of the protestors, despite being joined by members from other groups, has sadly, done little to dispel that notion.
Pretty sure that the Lashkar e Taiba and other Islamic militants believe the same way too. Hoisting the Islamic flag at Red Fort does not really hurt anyone.