Amritsar-Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, the officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has welcomed the decision of ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He stated that from the very beginning, he has held the belief that war should not break out between these two nations. In this regard, he even offered Ardas (Sikh prayer) yesterday before Guru Sahib at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib. He added that all the national and international leaders who played a vital role in achieving this ceasefire deserve lasting recognition.
Jathedar Gargajj emphasized that this region does not need war, but peace and mutual harmony. He said we must draw lessons from the 70 years of Sikh confederacies and rule, rather than repeating the mistakes of the past.
He noted that the Sikh community has always stood firm against oppression and tyranny and has played a leading role in defending the nation. War, he said, is destructive to humanity and claims innocent lives, so both sides should resolve their issues through dialogue.
On the other hand, Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria convened an interfaith meeting today at the Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium in Punjab Raj Bhavan, Chandigarh, in which Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib was also invited to participate. Jathedar Gargajj sent Jaskaran Singh, media advisor of Secretariat, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, as a representative to share his views with the Governor.
During the meeting, the Jathedar emphasized that Punjab must not become a zone of conflict, as it is home to sacred Sikh heritage and revered religious places whose protection is paramount. He pointed out that Punjabis, especially Sikhs and Hindus, have suffered tremendous losses since 1947. A large number of holy gurdwaras remained on the Pakistan side after Partition, and every Sikh deeply yearns to visit them. Similarly, many Hindu temples also remained there.
He asserted that the situation should not escalate toward war, and that diplomatic efforts—possibly involving the United Nations and powerful nations like the United States—must be made for immediate resolution. Punjab, already mired in debt, would suffer even greater financial crisis if war breaks out.
Jathedar Gargajj stated that we need to learn from Baba Baghel Singh’s conquest of Delhi and the ideal reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and others lived together in harmony. He emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes rather than repeating them.
He added that during the 70-year era of Sikh rule and confederacies, communal harmony prevailed in the region. However, divisiveness has been fostered pre and post partition, leading to the current problems. If war breaks out now, the consequences would be grave and devastating, as both countries are nuclear powers.
He stressed that if both governments truly want peace in the region, then Sikhs should be given a significant role as envisioned during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign. Efforts must also be made to revive and highlight the forgotten Sikh history through collective initiatives.
He concluded by saying that strong communal ties between the two countries are crucial for the people of the region to lead peaceful and prosperous lives. There has been a continuous demand from the people of Punjab to open the borders with Pakistan for bilateral trade, which would promote regional development and provide a market for local crops. Without a shift in the hostile atmosphere, regional prosperity will continue to suffer.
As a representative of the Sikh nation, he conveyed the message that Sikhs stand firmly against all forms of oppression and have made the greatest sacrifices in the country’s struggle for independence. Even today, Sikh soldiers stand bravely at the borders defending the nation, and Punjab is the state with the highest number of war widows in India.