AMRITSAR: Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib highest seat of Sikh religion said that the Centre and Punjab governments must enact strict and special law in cases involving the desecration of the sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In a statement issued from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj emphasized that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the eternal, ever-present Guru (master) of the Sikhs. Whenever any act of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib occurs, it deeply wounds the hearts of Sikhs living across the world.
It is worth noting that yesterday, Jathedar Gargajj visited Bhai Gurjeet Singh Khalsa in Samana, Patiala district, who has been staging a protest for nearly six months by climbing a tower and demanding strict law against those accused of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Jathedar Gargajj spoke to Bhai Gurjeet Singh on video call, urging him to end his hunger strike, eat food and continue his protest. He assured him that Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the entire Sikh community stand with him in this matter.
Jathedar Gargajj said that for over a decade, incidents of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib have continued to take place in Punjab and other states and the entire Sikh community is concerned about them. He pointed out that all the political parties have merely used these incidents for their own agendas, but have failed to do what is truly necessary—creating a law that would ensure strict punishment for those guilty of desecration.
He also stated that the Sikh representative body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and its presidents over time, have passed several resolutions in general houses and executive committees, demanding strict laws from the government regarding the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. However, it is unfortunate that the governments have not paid serious attention to this sensitive issue. He questioned whether such a law would harm the nation or rather promote harmony and goodwill in society.
Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that when India gained independence from British rule in 1947, it was well known what place Sri Guru Granth Sahib held in the life of every Sikh. Therefore, when the Constitution of India was being written, a law protecting the Sikh sentiments should have been considered at that time. He added that since every religion has its own beliefs and values, they should not all be treated identically but rather respected in their own context.
The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib emphasized the need for a special and separate law in matters of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which should include provisions for the harshest punishment for the offenders. He also stated that similar legal protections should be made for the holy Granths of other religions, in accordance with the sentiments of those faiths, to ensure that no one dares to harm the beliefs of any religion.