Governments should always remember that Sikhs are equal partners in the country, not second-class citizens - Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj
AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee organized an annual Martyrdom Celebration at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in memory of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, Baba Thara Singh and General Shubeg Singh, among others, who were martyred during the military attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib by the then Congress government.
Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that governments should always remember that Sikhs are equal partners in this country, not second-class citizens. He said that the double standards being followed towards Sikhs are not in the interest of the country. The incidents of targeting Sikh identity, kakars and turbans in the country are of great concern. He said that the turban and beard of a Sikh who has gone for a walk in Himachal Pradesh are targeted, whereas in Punjab, people from all over the country are living and working in an open environment, no Sikh or Punjabi has ever targeted them. He said that the rulers of the time should understand that Sikhs will no longer tolerate second-class treatment with their identity.
Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that today Sikhs have established their own distinct identity all over the world by upholding the principle of the welfare of all and serving humanity. But for some time now, under a conspiracy against Sikhs at the global level, their unique identity and achievements are being targeted for hatred by making excuses, from which Sikh organizations operating in every country need to be aware.
Appealing to the Sikhs living in the country and the world, he said that Punjab is our home and they should make sincere efforts to keep their children connected to this land.
Jathedar Gargajj said that the then ruler Indira Gandhi also wanted to run Punjab according to her own will by centralizing it, many black laws were also made but the Sikhs fought and got them back. Even today, the ruling party of Punjab wants to impose laws of its own choice on the Sikhs. The government's intention is to control the arrangements of the Sikh Guru Ghars, but the Sikhs will never accept this. The Punjab government wants to impose laws related to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji without the consent of the Sikhs.
He said that the Guru Khalsa Panth is the subordinate of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which will not accept or recognize any such law without consent.
Jathedar Gargajj said that the issue was to give strict punishment to the culprits of sacrilege and to provide justice to the Sikhs. But the government has moved towards controlling only the Sikh parties and central Sikh institutions.
He said that the government should tell why the culprits of Bargari sacrilege have not been arrested and brought to Punjab yet and where are the culprits of 2017 Maur bomb blast and where is justice for the families of the victims of this incident?
On this occasion, Jathedar Gargajj asked the entire community to work together for the release of all the imprisoned Sikhs Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora, Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera and the living martyr Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.
He said that the elderly mother of Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara wants to meet her son but the governments have become an obstacle.
He said that all the imprisoned Sikhs of the community are still in jails despite completing their sentences, so the community should unite and raise their voice for them.
Jathedar Gargajj said that Gurbani teaches us to preserve the environment and nature. Next year, the 450th foundation day of Amritsar city is being celebrated. This holy city was founded by Sri Guru Ramdas Ji, but the governments have completely failed to maintain the sanctity of the Guru city.
He said that there is a complete ban on single-use plastic in the state, but there are heaps of garbage in Amritsar city and the state, the environment is polluted with plastic in many places.
He said that the government digs up the Takht Sahiban on the way as the centenary approaches. Now, one year has passed since the 450th centenary of the establishment of Amritsar city, the government should at least make special arrangements for cleaning and removing the garbage from the city.
Jathedar Gargajj said that in 1984, the Sikhs fought a struggle against a great power with faith in the Sikh faith and Guru. Today, the nation needs to move forward unitedly, taking inspiration from all the martyrs and Sikh faith to face challenges from all sides.
Meanwhile, head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Giani Amarjit Singh also paid tribute to the martyrs. Referring to the brutal act by the then Indian government, he said that the mental pain inflicted on the Sikhs by damaging the central shrine of the Sikhs and injuring Sri Guru Granth Sahib with a bullet can never be forgetten.
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