Pursue cases of arrested Khalistani operatives, Akal Takht tells SGPC
AMRITSAR: Three weeks after speaking in favour of a separate Sikh state of Khalistan, Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Tuesday asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to pursue the cases of Khalistani operatives arrested by Punjab Police recently.
Addressing the media along with Takht Keshgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh after a function to celebrate MiriPiri Diwas, he said: “The arrest of innocent youngsters in the name of Khalistan is condemnable.”
“It has come to our notice that Punjab Police have arrested few youngsters in the name of Khalistan. If any innocent person is arrested or anyone is put behind bars with false charges, this is condemnable and the SGPC should pursue and get the cases probed,” said Giani Harpreet
Singh. Earlier this month, he claimed that every Sikh wanted Khalistan.
CM Amarinder Singh dismissed that statement of the Akal Takht jathedar, telling the media, “Sikhs in the country are leading prosperous lives. Why would they want a Khalistan? Nobody wants it and I don’t want. Every Sikh has always stood for the unity and integrity of the country. Do you know how many Sikh soldiers we have? They sacrifice their lives for the country. We fight for our country and this is our country.”
Giani Harpreet Singh clarified in Talwandi Sabo later, “Sikhism can’t be defined by the idea of Khalistan alone. Sikhism is the global idea and this idea should bring peace to the world.”
Taking note of the missing 267 Guru Granth Sahib saroops he said the SGPC has been asked to conduct a probe and submit its report soon.