Sri Amritsar-Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has strongly condemned the Haryana Police lathi-charge and use of tear gas shells against Sikh devotees holding a peaceful protest in Ambala last night. He said it was extremely unfortunate that while the Haryana government was holding talks with the Sikh community on the one hand, it suddenly attacked them on the other. He termed the action extremely unfortunate and unjust.
He said that besides Haryana Gurdwara Management Committee president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, several members and employees, Sikh devotees and police personnel were injured in the incident. Jathedar Gargajj spoke to Jagdish Singh Jhinda over the phone to enquire about his health and that of the injured Sikhs and to take stock of the prevailing situation. Jhinda told the Jathedar that it was not right for the police to attack the Sikh devotees in this manner while talks with the government were underway.
The Jathedar said that if the government had wanted, the matter could have been resolved peacefully and amicably through dialogue. He said that when talks were underway, the sudden use of force against Sikhs by the government was wrong and the circumstances leading to the action should be investigated.
He questioned whether anti-Sikh forces had deliberately infiltrated the peaceful protest at night by sending mischievous elements to discredit the protest and provoke the police into taking action. He said this possibility should be seriously investigated.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the situation could have been avoided if the Haryana government had, in time, taken appropriate legal action in accordance with Sikh sentiments against those accused of crushing and seriously injuring Sikh devotees at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib during the Prakash Gurpurab of the Eighth Guru, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib. He expressed concern over why governments provide patronage to such mischievous elements who repeatedly make provocative statements against Sikhs and work to hurt their sentiments.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the Haryana government should respect the sentiments of the Sikh community, immediately release the arrested youths and arrest those accused of injuring devotees by crushing them with their vehicle into the congregation at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib. He said the government should resolve the entire matter through dialogue with Sikh leaders in the state instead of creating a situation of confrontation.
He also directed the Sikh community in Haryana to remain united and organised, and said that any struggle should be conducted strictly within the bounds of discipline and in a peaceful manner. He further stressed that it should be ensured that no mischievous elements participate in the Sikh protest.