Minorities are being targeted: Akal Takht jathedar on Delhi riots

AMRITSAR: The acting jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh on Tuesday sought probe into the ongoing Delhi violence that has coincided with the visit of US President Donald Trump. At least 13 people have been killed in the national capital in the violence over the past two days.

He made the statement immediately after his return from Pakistan. The jathedar, along with 12 other Sikhs, had gone to Pakistan to take part in a function to observe the anniversary of the Nankana Sahib massacre on February 21.

“See, when Bill Clinton (the then US president) had come to India in 2000, 36 Sikhs were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, and, now, when Trump is around, Delhi is burning. It should be probed why India sees violence whenever a US president is around?” he said.

The jathedar said, “We talked to the Pakistan government and they agreed to open two gurdwaras — named after Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh and Bhai Money Singh (both Sikh martyers). The shrines will be opened after renovation.” On whether he was satisfied with the apology of director general of police (DGP) for his Kartarpur remark, he said, “His mistake is very big and should step down on moral ground. The statement has hurt the sentiments of Sikh community,” adding, “I have spent five days in Pakistan and I have not become a terrorist?” Earlier, the jathedar had said that Pakistan was a safe country and maximum Sikhs from India should visit historic gurdwaras there.

› See, when Bill Clinton (the then US president) had come to India in 2000, 36 Sikhs were killed in J&K, and, now, when Trump is around, Delhi is burning. It should be probed why India sees violence whenever a US president is around? GIANI HARPREET SINGH, acting Akal Takht jathedar