Akal Takht Jathedar Demands Renaming of Rajiv Gandhi National Law University, Calls 1984 Killings Genocide

Amritsar, November 3, 2025 — Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, has urged the Central Government to rename Rajiv Gandhi National Law University in Patiala, calling it an “insult to the Sikh community.” He said the former Prime Minister bore moral responsibility for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Addressing the media after attending the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) annual general session, Jathedar Gargajj stated, “The very name of Rajiv Gandhi reminds Sikhs of one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. It is painful that an institution in Punjab still bears his name when the community continues to seek justice.”

He appealed to the Centre to pass a resolution in Parliament officially recognizing the 1984 killings as a genocide, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks in Bihar. “If the Prime Minister has termed it genocide, the government must now formally recognize it,” he said.

The Jathedar endorsed the SGPC’s resolutions seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, protection of Sikh identity, and safeguarding of Gurdwaras from government interference. “Gurdwaras belong solely to the Khalsa Panth, and any attempt at interference will not be tolerated,” he warned.

Congratulating Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami on being re-elected as SGPC President for the fifth consecutive term, Gargajj expressed confidence that Dhami would continue strengthening Sikh institutions with honesty and dedication.

He also criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his remarks about Gurdwara Golak funds, describing them as “atheistic thinking” that disrespected Sikh sentiments.

On the issue of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s banned office bearers, the Jathedar said that disciplinary action would follow after the completion of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s 350th martyrdom centenary celebrations on November 29.