After facing criticism over his recent statement in which he asked Sikh youth to arm themselves with licensed weapons, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Wednesday raised the issue of Sikh political prisoners. He claimed that the “fear of losing the non-Sikh vote bank” during the elections had prevented both the Central and Punjab governments from initiating the process for the release of such prisoners.
During his traditional message to the community on the occasion of Guru Hargobind Sahib’s Prakash Parv, Harpreet Singh said that the Guru carried with him the condition of the release of 52 Hindu emperors from prison during their release, which is why they were ‘ ‘Bandi Chhor Data’ (one who facilitates the release of prisoners). Guru Hargobind Singh was the sixth of the 10 Sikh Gurus.
Thousands of devotees participated in the function organized by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) at Akal Takht. Apart from Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh was also present in the ceremony. The Akal Takht is the highest temporary seat of the Sikhs.
“Contrary to the Guru’s view, in the present days, no government was ready to take steps to free the imprisoned Sikhs, who are lodged in various jails despite their punishment exceeding the term of their sentence. The governments feared that it might invite anger from non-Sikhs which could dent their large share of the vote bank,” said Harpreet Singh.
Harpreet Singh called upon Sikhs to unite on the release of Sikh political prisoners. “There is a need to unite the Sikh authority to release these prisoners,” he said. If Sikhs remain divided, it will be difficult to resolve the issues. Every Sikh should raise his voice in favor of these prisoners.
‘Every Sikh should have a licensed weapon’
Harpreet Singh had recently faced criticism for saying that every Sikh should have a licensed modern weapon because “there are times”. However, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann objected to this and said that he should give the message of peace and brotherhood.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also objected to the jathedar’s statement and termed it as “mischievous”.
In a video message, Harpreet Singh said, “Even today, especially for Sikh boys and girls, there is a need to follow the orders of Guru Hargobind Singh. They should take training in ‘Gatka Baji’ (a traditional martial art), fencing and shooting. And every Sikh should also try to have a licensed modern weapon in a legal way because such is the time and such is the developing situation.
“Honorable, Jathedar Shri Akal Takht Sahib ji, your statement about weapons… Jathedar ji, you should send the message of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ (welfare of all) of Gurbani to every household instead of keeping arms. Jathedar Sahib, We should give the message of peace, brotherhood and modern development instead of modern weapons,” CM Mann had tweeted. Later in a statement issued in Chandigarh, Mann said that weapons have no place in a harmonious society.
“We are living in a civilized society where the country is governed through the rule of law. Weapons have no place in a cordial and harmonious society.”
He said that the Jathedar should focus on spreading the message of ‘Gurbani’ with the vision of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’.
Notably, in June 2020, Singh had raised the issue of a separate state Khalistan for Sikhs and said that if the government would introduce it, the community would accept it.
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