Indian Army Officer's statement about deploying Air Defence Guns at Sri Harmandar Sahib shockingly untrue: Head Granthi
Amritsar, May 20 (UNI) Giani Amarjeet Singh, Additional Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, has termed as shockingly untrue, the recent claim made by Indian Army Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha during an interview with a channel—where he stated that air defence guns were deployed at Sri Harmandar Sahib amid the recent India-Pakistan tensions.
Giani Amarjeet Singh clarified that the management of Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) had cooperated with the district administration's guidelines regarding the city-wide blackout by switching off exterior and upper lights of the complex within the specified time frame.
However, lights at locations where the religious code of conduct (Maryada) is observed were kept on, and the sanctity of the religious place was maintained with full responsibility.
Giani Amarjeet Singh asserted that the claim made by the Army officer that the Head Granthi gave permission for the deploying air defence guns during 'Operation Sindhoor' was completely false.
He emphasised that no such permission was ever granted, nor was any such deployment allowed at this sacred site.
He reiterated that the daily religious practices at Sri Darbar Sahib, the Langar of Guru Ramdas Ji, places of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, and other related gurdwaras were conducted as per strict protocols.
He further said that despite the tense situation in recent days, the full religious code of conduct continued at Sri Harmandar Sahib with dedication and discipline.
Giani Amarjeet Singh made it clear that no lights were turned off at any religious site where Maryada was being observed, even during the blackout. He expressed surprise and concern over why such a statement was made by the Army officer and asserted confidently that no permission for installing guns was ever given.
Regarding the same statement by the Army officer, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami also said that while the administration contacted them only about switching off the lights during the blackout, they fully cooperated in the interest of administrative responsibility while maintaining the sanctity of the ongoing Maryada.
The SGPC president added that however, there was no contact from any Army official regarding the installation of air defence guns at Sri Harmandar Sahib.
He said that based on consultation with Additional Head Granthi Giani Amarjeet Singh, only the outer lights were turned off following the district administration's guidelines.
Advocate Dhami pointed out that even during the blackout, large numbers of devotees continued to visit and do Sewa (voluntary service) at Sri Harmandar Sahib, and had there been any such event like gun deployment, the Sangat (congregation) would certainly have noticed and seen it.
He expressed surprise that an Army officer would propagate such a claim and demanded that the Government of India clarify why such statements were being issued by Army officials.
Adv. Dhami acknowledged the commendable role played by the Army and the country during the tense circumstances, but emphasised that the said statement days after the military events was shockingly untrue.
As SGPC President, Advocate Dhami clearly stated that no permission was ever granted for the deployment of guns.
Sri Harmandar Sahib's Head Granthi, Giani Raghbir Singh, also clarified that although he was on
an international visit during the Army operation, there was no communication with him regarding any gun deployment, nor did any such incident occur at Sri Darbar Sahib. He too described the Army officer's statement as shockingly untrue.
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