"HP police being run by local goons and mischievous elements"
AMRITSAR: In the case of some mischievous people tearing and trampling under their feet the Sikh flags and the picture of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale put up by Sikh and Punjabi youth in the presence of the police in Himachal Pradesh, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj took strict notice and said in a press statement that this will not be acceptable at all.
He said that when the police stops a youth to check the documents of his vehicle, then at that time, any local mischievous elements have no right to forcefully use force on the Sikh youth and tear the flags related to the Sikhs put up on their vehicles.
He said that this shows that the Himachal Pradesh police are being run by local goons and mischievous elements.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj also appealed to the Sikh youth to keep their vehicle papers intact and avoid travelling alone when they go to Himachal Pradesh.
Jathedar Gargaj asked the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, to take note of these incidents and order the state police to maintain law and order as per the law.
He told the Himachal Chief Minister that some mischievous people want to hurt the communal harmony of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and create a tense situation, towards which the state government has the responsibility to keep such elements in check.
He said that the state government’s responsibility is to ensure the safety of people of every religion and community and not to allow hatred against people of any religion to be openly displayed.
Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib said that India is a multi-religious and multilingual country, in which everyone has religious freedom.
He said that Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale is a national martyr and hero of the Sikhs, who has been declared a martyr by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest seat of the Sikh community.
He said that in Himachal Pradesh, Sikhs go to visit their shrines, but the Nishan Sahib and the pictures of Sikh martyrs are being forcibly removed from their vehicles by stopping the devotees. It is a matter of regret that the police administration is not fulfilling its due responsibility in this matter, but is fueling the atmosphere of hatred being created against the Sikhs.
He said that it is not right to question the picture of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale and if anyone has any doubts, they can come to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and see the memorial of Sikh martyrs built here, to see what they have to give to their community.
Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that the constitution of the country gives everyone the right to religious freedom and expression of ideas, but creating hatred towards Sikh leaders in Himachal is not good for mutual brotherhood and such conflicts should be avoided.
He said that Sikhs have always contributed to the progress of the country and have served people of all religions without discrimination during any trouble faced by the country.
He said that the people of Himachal should not forget that if the entire country is enjoying the warmth of independence today, it is because of the great role of Sikhs.
Jathedar also instructed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to raise this matter with the government of Himachal Pradesh.