Sikh bodies condemn attack on preacher in UK gurdwara
Those who removed the turban cannot be called Sikhs. They are goons. While Sikhs in different countries are facing restrictions over wearing turbans, people who call themselves Sikhs are disrespecting the headgear by tossing it.
GIANI KEWAL SINGH, former Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar
Led by former Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Kewal Singh, various Sikh bodies under the banner Panthic Talmel Dal on Wednesday condemned the tossing of turban of a Sikh preacher in a UK-based Gurdwara.
On Monday, Giani Amreek Singh Chandigarh, a Sikh preacher at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Southall in the United Kingdom, was not only prevented from delivering a sermon but his turban was also removed by some persons.
Condemning the attack, representative of various Sikh bodies, including ‘Akal Purakh Ki Fauj’, Gurmat Gyan Missionary College Ludhiana, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Missionary College, Ropar, Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana, Gursikh Family Club, Shubhkarman Society, held a meeting here, which was presided over by former Giani Kewal Singh, convener of the Dal.
‘THOSE WHO REMOVED TURBAN CANNOT BE CALLED SIKHS’
Addressing a press conference, the former jathedar said, “Those who removed the turban cannot be called Sikhs. They are goons. While on one hand, Sikhs in different countries are facing restrictions over wearing turbans and fighting legal and social battles, on the other, people who call themselves Sikhs are disrespecting the turbans by tossing them. What kind of message do we want to disseminate in the world?”
‘A SHAMEFUL ACT’
Panthic Talmel Dal general secretary Jaswinder Singh said, “Tossing of turban is a shameful act that has left the Sikh community embarrassed and also damaged their reputation in other countries.”
‘IT IS NO WAY TO COUNTER OTHERS’ VIEW’
“Every person has different views on different matters, but this is not a way to counter others’ views,” said Kuljit Singh, a member of Akal Purakh Ki Fauj.
“Secondly, turban is considered sacred in the Sikh religion according to which, turban should not be desecrated even of a follower of other religion,” he added.
IT’S A SAD EPISODE, SAYS LONGOWAL
Condemning the attack, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal said, “In case you have any dispute with other person, settlement through dialogue is the right way. Manhandling of the preacher in a gurdwara is a very sad episode.”
SGPC in its press release stated, “Conflict is not good for the Sikh community. At this hour, every Sikh should work towards strengthening the community and its betterment.”