Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Sunday strongly condemned the Delhi Police action against protesters in the national capital, particularly the violation of the sanctity of Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib. AAP MLAs Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Prof Baljinder Kaur and Manvinder Singh Giaspura demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the immediate release of all protesters detained during Saturday’s protest and strict action against police personnel involved in the violation of Gurdwara maryada.
The AAP MLAs said the BJP-led Central government had crossed all limits by using force against protesters, disrupting public transport and allowing police personnel to enter Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib wearing shoes and with their heads uncovered. They said the detention and harassment of people inside the Gurdwara premises had deeply hurt Sikh sentiments and raised serious questions about the BJP’s respect for religious institutions.
Addressing a press conference, AAP MLA and Punjab Chief Spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said, “The actions of the Delhi Police have brought back painful memories of Operation Bluestar and the events of 1984, which the Sikh community has never forgotten. The BJP has repeatedly criticised the Congress over 1984, but the incident at Bangla Sahib has exposed the hypocrisy of its own politics. The BJP and the Congress may be political rivals, but their approach towards suppressing Sikhs and their voices appears no different. Union Home Minister Amit Shah must resign and accept responsibility for the police action.”
The AAP Punjab Chief Spokesperson further said, “I appeal to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to take serious notice of this incident and call upon Sikh organisations to raise their voices against the violation of Gurdwara maryada.”
AAP MLA Baljinder Kaur stated, “October 10 was a black day. The Delhi Police detained people indiscriminately, while Metro services, buses and traffic were disrupted to prevent protesters from reaching their destination. Videos showing uniformed police personnel entering Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib with shoes on and their heads uncovered, and forcibly removing people from the Gurdwara’s sarai, are deeply disturbing. The sarai provides shelter to people arriving from across the world, and such treatment inside a sacred place is unacceptable.”
Baljinder Kaur further said, “The incident recalls the attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1984, when the Congress government violated the sanctity of Sikh religious institutions. How can the BJP continue to invoke the injustices of 1984 against the Congress while failing to answer for the conduct of the police under its own government?”
Questioning the silence of the Akali Dal (Badal) and SGPC leadership, she said, “When such a serious incident has taken place, why are Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee) president Harjinder Singh Dhami silent? Are political understandings with the BJP more important to them than Sikh sentiments? I urge the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to take a firm stand and demand accountability.”
AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura said, “The entry of police personnel into Gurdwara premises wearing shoes and with their heads uncovered is an act that can neither be forgotten nor forgiven. Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib is associated with the selfless service rendered by Guru Harkrishan Sahib to the poor and needy during the epidemic of 1664. A place associated with compassion, humanity and service deserves the highest respect.”
Manvinder Singh Giaspura further said, “The BJP cannot evade questions about its own historical record on 1984. Referring to L.K. Advani’s book My Country, My Life, I challenge the BJP’s political narrative surrounding the attack on Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The party cannot exploit religious sentiments for political gain while failing to uphold the sanctity of Sikh institutions.”
Targeting the BJP’s political ambitions in Punjab, he said, “The BJP’s politics is driven by the pursuit of power and the suppression of dissent. Punjabis will not accept attempts to undermine their religious institutions or democratic rights.”
Manvinder Singh Giaspura also questioned the silence of Sukhbir Singh Badal and the functioning of the SGPC, saying, “Sukhbir Singh Badal frequently criticises the Punjab government, but why has he remained silent over this incident? Is his silence linked to political ambitions and a possible electoral understanding with the BJP? The SGPC leadership must also answer questions about the prolonged absence of elections to the body and concerns over the political influence of the Badal family.”
Appealing to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Manvinder Singh Giaspura said, “I appeal to the Jathedar to summon those responsible, take a strong stand and uphold the honour of the Sikh Panth. The Sikh community expects its religious leadership to speak clearly whenever the sanctity of its institutions is challenged.”
The AAP MLAs reiterated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah must accept responsibility for the Delhi Police action. They demanded the immediate release of all detained protesters, strict action against police personnel involved in the violation of Gurdwara maryada and a clear response from the BJP-led Central government. They said the silence of leaders claiming to represent the Sikh Panth was equally troubling and called upon Sikh institutions and organisations to stand firmly in defence of the community’s religious traditions, dignity and democratic rights.
