Chandigarh: :A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on Monday met Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and submitted a memorandum demanding strict action against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the October 10 incident. In this incident, Delhi Police personnel had entered Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib wearing shoes and without covering their heads. Calling it a major violation of the sanctity of Sikh religious institutions, the MLAs appealed to Jathedar Sahib to summon Amit Shah and ensure accountability of those responsible for it.
Memories of Operation Blue Star fresh, allegations of hurting sentiments of Sikh community
Recalling the painful memories of Operation Blue Star, the delegation of AAP MLAs stressed that the Sikh community has not forgotten that dark chapter and will never forget the incident of Delhi Police entering Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib. The delegation also raised questions on the silence of Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami over the incident.
Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said – Gurudwara is a place of refuge and peace.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, AAP MLAs Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that this incident is very bad and has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said, "Gurudwaras have traditionally been places of refuge, where people come to seek refuge, peace and langar. The students whom the police were chasing had entered the premises of Gurdwara Sahib, but that does not give the policemen any right to enter the holy premises bareheaded and barefoot. The Central Government should respect the religious sentiments of the Sikhs and take appropriate action on the memorandum submitted by our delegation to Jathedar Sahib." Describing October 10 as a black day for the Sikh community, AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Giyaspura said, "The sanctity of Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib has been violated. The Sikh community has not forgotten the attacks on their religious places in 1984 and will not forget this incident either."
AAP MLAs raised questions on the silence of Sukhbir Badal and SGPC President
Questioning the silence of Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, Manvinder Singh Giyaspura said, "The silence of Shiromani Akali Dal leadership and SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami raises serious questions. Harsimrat Kaur Badal's social media post condemning the incident was also deleted. Jathedar Sahib should call Union Home Minister Amit Shah and take strict action. The Sikh community is looking towards Sri Akal Takht Sahib for a concrete answer in this matter." AAP MLA Jeevan Jot Kaur said the incident has reopened the old painful wounds of the Sikh community and exposed the anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab face of the BJP.
No compromise on sanctity of religious places, demand to fix accountability of those responsible
MLA Jeevan Jot Kaur said, "This incident has once again reopened the painful wounds of the Sikh community. BJP has once again exposed its anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab character. Our delegation has given a memorandum demanding strict action from Jathedar Sahib. The sanctity of Sikh religious institutions must be maintained and those responsible for it must be held accountable." AAP MLA Professor Baljinder Kaur said that it can be clearly seen in the video of the incident that the Delhi Police personnel had entered the premises of Gurudwara Sahib with bare heads and wearing shoes. MLA Professor Baljinder Kaur said, "It can be clearly seen in the video that the policemen have entered Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib with bare heads and wearing shoes. Throwing people out of the inn is equally condemnable. Jathedar Sahib should call Union Home Minister Amit Shah and take strict action in this matter. There can be no compromise with the sanctity of our religious places."
This delegation also included AAP MLAs Jasveer Singh Gill, Karamveer Singh Ghuman, Sarwan Singh Dhun, Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, Dalbir Singh Tong, Manjinder Singh Lalpura and Kulwant Singh Pandori. Apart from this, Sonia Mann, Jobanpreet Singh, Sarabjot Sabi, Gurikbal Singh Mahal and AAP leader Angad Sohal were also part of this delegation.