Akal Takht Jathedar Appeals for Peace Amid Flag Row, Urges Himachal CM's Intervention
Officiating Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Sunday urged the public to maintain peace, harmony, and brotherhood in the wake of tensions sparked by the removal of flags bearing the image of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the bikes of Punjabi youths in Himachal Pradesh.
Calling for calm and understanding, Jathedar Gargaj appealed to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to intervene directly and instruct his police to uphold law and order, especially when dealing with visitors from Punjab.
His statement came following a meeting with a group of 20 students and teachers who are currently on a three-day educational tour of Punjab and had arrived in Amritsar. The group informed him that before their departure, their families had expressed concern about traveling to Punjab due to fears over the prevailing security situation.
Reassuring them, Jathedar Gargaj emphasized that Punjab remains safe and welcoming. “Punjab is the land of the Gurus, and Sikh philosophy teaches us to work for the welfare of all humanity,” he said. Quoting the Sikh scripture, he added, “We recite ‘nirbhau nirvair’—without fear and without hate—in our daily prayers. Our guiding principles are rooted in global peace. There is no reason for visitors to fear coming to Punjab.”
Commenting on the controversy, Jathedar Gargaj said the situation escalated after residents in Himachal Pradesh removed flags from the vehicles of Punjabi tourists, reportedly in the presence of the police. He urged authorities to ensure such incidents are not repeated and that pilgrims and visitors from Punjab are treated with respect and dignity during visits to Himachal.
During the meeting, a professor accompanying the student group even offered to donate land for the construction of a gurdwara, underlining the spirit of unity and goodwill.
Meanwhile, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the police have gathered significant leads in the case involving the vandalism of five Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses at the Amritsar bus stand on Friday night. The incident is suspected to be linked to Khalistan sympathisers. “We expect a positive outcome soon,” Bhullar stated.
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