Amritsar, Jun 18 (PTI) Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on Thursday asked the Uttarakhand government to ensure protection of the Sikh Sangat travelling for pilgrimage to Sri Hemkunt Sahib.
He also told representatives of Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust that their statement asking Sikhs to leave behind their ‘kirpans’ (swords) during the pilgrimage is highly unfortunate and warned that explanations would be sought from them soon.
The Jathedar stated that it is the primary responsibility of the representatives of the Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust to communicate with the Uttarakhand government and ensure that local people do not harass any Sikh devotee on the route.
Regarding a recent incident in which four Sikh pilgrims were booked in Karnaprayag, Gargajj said the action of Uttarakhand Police was highly condemnable and seemingly one-sided.
He said that in an ordinary road rage case, Sikh youths were booked under strict legal sections, subjected to custodial coercion and assault, and publicly paraded with their turbans removed.
Gargajj stated that a high-level investigation into the matter should be conducted and strict action should be taken against the police officials responsible for hurting Sikh religious sentiments.
According to the information received regarding the incident, local people had first allegedly physically attacked the Sikh youths, following which Sikhs used ‘kirpans’ (swords) in self-defence, the Jathedar said.
He added that if such mistreatment is inflicted upon a Sikh, then it is natural for them to use ‘kirpan’ in self-defence.
All governments and police administrations in the country are fully aware that the turban and ‘kirpan’ are connected with Sikh religious sentiments and ‘kakaars’ (articles of faith), and publicly humiliating Sikh youths by removing their turbans after arrest is a major unconstitutional act in a democracy. Therefore, an impartial investigation into the incident should be conducted, he said.
Chamoli Police on Wednesday said it arrested four Sikh pilgrims for assaulting and injuring locals with swords following a minor argument about vehicle parking in the Karnaprayag market area.
According to police, the dispute occurred near the Krishna Palace Hotel between local traders, a local resident, and a group of Nihang pilgrims who were returning from the Sri Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage. PTI JMS CHS RUK RUK
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