Sri Amritsar-Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, has extended his congratulations to Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami on being elected President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the fifth consecutive term.
Speaking to the media after participating in the annual general session at the SGPC headquarters, Jathedar Gargajj said that it is by the boundless grace of the Guru Sahiban that Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has again been chosen to lead the supreme representative institution of the Sikhs. He added that it is heartening that the entire election process concluded peacefully. Expressing confidence, he said Advocate Dhami would, with renewed zeal, continue to advance Panthic causes, elevate the Sikh institution to greater heights, and face every challenge before the Sikh community with courage and determination.
Jathedar Gargajj praised the resolutions passed by the SGPC on issues such as the release of Sikh political prisoners (Bandi Singhs), the rights of Punjab, the 1984 Sikh Genocide, Sikh identity and Kakaars (articles of faith), and the re-opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, describing them as commendable and worthy of full support. He said that those Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences — including the Zinda Shaheed facing death sentences, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora, Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera, Bhai Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, and others — should be released immediately. He reminded that during the 550th Prakash Gurpurb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev in 2019, the Government of India had made an announcement regarding Sikh prisoners, which must now be honoured fully.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address in Bihar, where he termed the 1984 Sikh Genocide as a “Narsanhaar, ” Jathedar Gargajj said that when the Prime Minister of the country himself uses the word “genocide” (nasalkushi in Punjabi), it becomes the responsibility of the media and all related institutions to refrain from calling it “riots.” He emphasized that riots imply violence between two sides, whereas in 1984, unarmed Sikhs were the victims of an organized extermination. “It was genocide of Sikhs in 1984, as even Prime Minister Modi has now acknowledged, ” he stated. He added that the SGPC has rightly resolved that Parliament should officially recognize the 1984 Sikh Genocide as Genocide, so that such a tragic situation never arises again and those guilty of genocidal acts against any community receive the severest punishment. “It is essential, ” he said, “that the government now formally affirms in Parliament what the Prime Minister has declared.”
He also demanded that the name of Punjab’s Rajiv Gandhi National Law University be changed immediately, as Rajiv Gandhi had justified the 1984 killings — a stance that deeply offends Sikh sentiments.
Jathedar Gargajj reiterated that Gurdwaras belong to the Khalsa Panth, and any attempt by governments to control or interfere in their management will never be tolerated by the Sikh nation.
Commenting on the meeting recently held by office-bearers of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) despite explicit instructions from Sri Akal Takht Sahib to refrain, Jathedar Gargajj said that no action is being taken at present due to the ongoing 350th martyrdom centenary commemorations of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar. However, ” he said, “after the completion of these events on November 29, all those DSGMC office-bearers and members who disobeyed the order of Sri Akal Takht Sahib will be summoned and asked to explain their defiance. Necessary Panthic action will be taken according to Sikh traditions. It is their duty to honour the command of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and present their side before it.”
Reacting to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s recent inappropriate remarks about the offerings (golaks) of Gurdwaras, Jathedar Gargajj said such comments reflect an atheistic mindset unworthy of a Chief Minister. “No leader of a state should speak disrespectfully about the traditions and sentiments of any faith, ” he said, noting that people of all backgrounds — not only Sikhs but also non-Sikhs — pay obeisance at Gurdwaras and make offerings as a matter of devotion. He cautioned the Chief Minister against hurting Sikh religious sentiments, recalling that during the recent floods in Punjab, the SGPC and other Sikh organizations had made exemplary contributions to relief efforts.
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Jaskaran Singh, 9517789930