Invoking history, Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, calls for peace and dialogue
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, on Sunday welcomed the ceasefire decision between India and Pakistan and lauded all the national and international leaders who contributed to the de-escalation of the situation.
The Sikh head's message was read out at an interfaith meeting convened by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium in Raj Bhavan, Chandigarh.
'From the beginning, I have believed that war should not break out between the two nations. This region does not need war, but peace and mutual harmony. Punjab must not become a zone of conflict. It is home to sacred Sikh heritage and important religious places,' stated the Jathedar, who mentioned that he had performed 'Ardas' before Guru Sahib at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday for restoring peace in the region.
The message of the Sikh head was read out by Jaskaran Singh, media advisor to the secretariat of Akal Takht Sahib.
Jathedar Gargaj called upon the faithful and the nation to learn from the 70 years of Sikh rule rather than repeat the mistakes of the past.
'Punjabis, especially Sikhs and Hindus, have suffered since 1947. Many gurdwaras and temples remained in Pakistan after Partition. Sikhs deeply desire to visit these places,' he said, while recalling the conquest of Delhi by Baba Baghel Singh in 1783 and the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh empire in Punjab, when people of different faiths coexisted harmoniously.
'During the 70-year Sikh rule, communal harmony existed in the region. If both governments want peace, then Sikhs should be given a meaningful role, as envisioned during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's time. The forgotten Sikh history must also be revived through collective efforts,' he said.
He pointed out that the people in Punjab have consistently demanded the opening of borders for trade with Pakistan, which would, in turn, promote development and help local farmers.
He said, 'War claims innocent lives and is harmful to humanity. Both countries should resolve issues through dialogue. Strong communal ties are necessary for peace and stability.'
He recalled the sacrifices made by the Sikhs during the country's Independence struggle. 'Sikhs have always stood against oppression. Today, Sikh soldiers continue to defend the borders, and Punjab has the highest number of war widows in India,' he stated.
Earlier, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj had condemned the shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch in which Sikh community members were killed and the wall of a gurdwara was damaged last week.
A large number of houses were damaged in the cross-border shelling from the Pakistan side in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
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