Latest news with #JathedarGargaj
Indian Express
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Wore kirpan…denied entry to Rajasthan judiciary exam', says baptised Sikh candidate; Jathedar Gargaj condemns
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, Officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has condemned the denial of entry to a baptised Sikh candidate for wearing a kirpan at the Rajasthan High Court Civil Judge recruitment exam held in Jaipur on Sunday. The candidate, Gurpreet Kaur, had made a video outside the exam centre claiming that she was denied entry because she had been wearing articles of Sikh faith. 'This is a serious violation of the Indian Constitution and religious discrimination against Sikhs,' said Gargaj. He cited Article 25, Explanation I of the Constitution, which affirms the right of Sikhs to wear the kirpan as part of their religious practice. Questioning the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Rajasthan government, Jathedar Gargaj said, 'How is the BJP safeguarding Sikh interests in practice, when such incidents are taking place?' He added, 'The entire world knows that baptised Sikhs wear the kirpan as a mandatory article of faith, yet Sikhs are repeatedly targeted in India for their distinct identity.' The Jathedar noted that a similar incident took place during last year's recruitment process in Jaipur and Jodhpur, and said written communication from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Sikh organisations had already been sent to the Rajasthan government. 'Despite that, the same injustice is being repeated,' he stated. Referring to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur being observed this year, Jathedar Gargaj said, 'While the nation commemorates the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, who sacrificed his life for religious freedom, Sikh symbols are being questioned and denied. Is this a true tribute to the Guru's sacrifice?' He called on the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC to form a joint delegation and meet with the prime minister, home minister, Rajasthan chief minister, and the registrar of the Rajasthan High Court to seek a resolution. 'The SGPC should consider filing a petition in the Rajasthan High Court to address the present and previous incidents and secure judicial remedy,' he said. Following the incident, officials from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib contacted former National Commission for Minorities chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura. According to the Jathedar, Lalpura confirmed that the Commission had already issued directions permitting baptised Sikh candidates to appear in exams with the kirpan. Lalpura reportedly assured that he would raise the issue again with the Rajasthan High Court registrar. Jathedar Gargaj has asked Lalpura to hold meetings with the prime minister and the Union home minister and submit a detailed report on the matter to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Declare July 23 as ‘Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day': Akal Takht jathedar
1 2 3 Bathinda/Amritsar: Officiating jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, has called upon Sikh institutions and the central and Punjab govt to officially declare July 23 as 'Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day'. This date coincides with the forced return of passengers on the Guru Nanak Jahaz (Komagata Maru) from Vancouver in Canada on July 23, 1914. The Canadian city of Surrey has proclaimed July 23 as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day. Earlier, the city of Vancouver declared Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day on May 23, when 376 passengers aboard the vessel arrived in Vancouver. Jathedar Gargaj said that on this day in 1914, under the leadership of Ghadar revolutionary Baba Gurdit Singh, a large group of Punjabis — mostly Sikhs — seeking a better future arrived in Canada. However, they were forcibly turned away, which was a grave violation of human rights. He stated that this episode is now officially recognised in Canadian cities such as Surrey and Vancouver as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day, which he hailed as a significant step towards acknowledging historical truth. This day commemorates a major struggle against racism and in defence of human rights, led by Baba Gurdit Singh, who in 1914 founded the Guru Nanak Steamship Company. He chartered a Japanese vessel from Komagata Maru Company, renamed it Guru Nanak Jahaz, and challenged Canada's then-racist immigration laws. Jathedar Gargaj emphasised that historical sources clearly show that the journey from Hong Kong to Canada was deeply spiritual, marked by the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, Akand Panth Sahib, and the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) on board, embodying the values of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. He expressed regret that in India, history books still refer to the ship as Komagata Maru, despite Baba Gurdit Singh naming it Guru Nanak Jahaz, a fact verified in his autobiographical book, Guru Nanak Jahaz. He appealed to universities, academic institutions, and gurdwara management bodies across India to do justice to this history by adopting the correct name — Guru Nanak Jahaz — in textbooks and curricula. Teaching this name instead of Komagata Maru would be both historically accurate and morally just, he said. Such efforts, he added, would present true history and serve as a source of spiritual inspiration for future generations. Jathedar Gargaj said this event played a crucial role in the early 20th-century freedom movement and helped awaken the spirit of independence in the country. Baba Gurdit Singh, he added, must always be remembered among the great heroes of India's freedom struggle. He expressed gratitude to the city councils of Vancouver and Surrey for recognising July 23 not as Komagata Maru Day, but as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day.
Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sharing photo of Army tank, BJP Punjab pays tribute to victims of 1984 Operation Blue Star
The BJP's Punjab unit has issued a public tribute to the victims of Operation Blue Star–the Army operation carried out to root out militants from Amritsar's Golden Temple in 1984–in a strongly worded Facebook post that described it as a 'dark and painful chapter in Indian history'. The party condemned the then Congress-led government's military operation inside the revered shrine and expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives. The image accompanying the post features visuals from 1984, including Indian Army tanks inside and the damage to the Akal Takht, reflecting the intense impact of the operation. The post in Punjabi reads, 'June 1,1984–'Saka Neela Tara'. A tribute to all the martyrs who lost their lives on the first day of the attack carried out by the Congress government on the Darbar Sahib.' Meanwhile, Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj appealed to the Sikh community to observe the first week of June as Shaheedi Hafta (martyrdom week) in memory of those killed during the 'June 1984 Ghallughara'. 'The Sikh community can never forget the military attack of June 1984,' Jathedar Gargaj said on Sunday. 'These martyrs sacrificed their lives for the nation, and they will always hold a place of utmost respect in the hearts of the Sikhs.' Jathedar Gargaj's statement recalled that in June 1984, 'a military operation was conducted by the then Congress-led government at Sri Harmandar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib'. 'The assault took place when Sikh devotees had gathered to observe the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji,' he said, adding that the operation led to the deaths of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, Baba Thara Singh, General Shabeg Singh, and others. The jathedar called for organising Gurmat Samagams, lectures, and seminars from June 1 to June 6 globally. 'It is the need of the hour to compile and publish the history of all the martyrs of June 1984 in both Punjabi and English on a large scale and present it before the global community,' he said. Gargaj also urged gurdwara committees to hold Sri Akhand Path Sahib or Sri Sukhmani Sahib recitations and invite scholars to educate the Sikh community on the events of June and November (anti-Sikh riots) 1984. 'Certain forces have covertly attempted to prevent the Sikh community from remembering the martyrs of June 1984,' he stated. 'But the community has always remembered its martyrs with unwavering spirit and will continue to do so.' The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has uploaded a video on Facebook in connection with the anniversary week. 'This was the dark day when, on the orders of the Congress government, the Indian Army surrounded both the inside and outside of our most sacred place. Without any warning, from noon until 8 p.m., firing took place inside the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex, during which innocent devotees who had come for darshan were martyred, and many others were injured. This wound inflicted by the Congress government is something the Sikh community can never forget,' reads the message posted along with the video.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘War devours the innocent': Akal Takht Jathedar condemns attack in Poonch, urges peace between India and Pakistan
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has condemned the shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch in which Sikh community members were killed and the wall of a gurdwara was damaged on Wednesday. 'The attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the loss of Sikh lives is not just an event—it is a blow to humanity,' he said. Calling for diplomatic efforts, Jathedar Gargaj urged both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions. 'Both governments must act with wisdom, not weapons,' he added. Official sources said that at least 10 civilians were killed and 40 were injured, mostly in Jammu 's Poonch sector, as Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling across the Line of Control in response to India's Operation Sindoor. A large number of houses were damaged or caught fire in the cross-border shelling, forcing hundreds of residents to flee to safer areas. The deceased in Poonch included Bhai Amreek Singh, soldier Bhai Amarjeet Singh, and Bhai Ranjit Singh, a shopkeeper. A Sikh woman, Bibi Ruby Kaur, also lost her life in the Manakot area. 'Since 1947, this conflict has caused suffering, including to Hindus and Sikhs near the border. How many more must pay for a conflict they did not create?' Gargaj said that the longer the region remains in conflict, the more it will harm its people. 'War always devours the innocent… Peace is not weakness—it is the strength we must summon.' 'This violence has taken lives from our community,' Jathedar Gargaj said, adding, 'Amreek Singh served through kirtan, Amarjeet Singh defended the borders, and Ranjit Singh was a tradesman. Their lives should not have ended like this.' He called for prayers (ardas) for their souls and for their families to gain strength. Addressing the people of the border areas, Jathedar Gurgajj asked for support and faith. 'Support one another. Take shelter in Gurbani. Stay firm. Pray for peace,' the Jathedar said. After the shelling by Pakistan, many families in Poonch have begun fleeing toward Jammu, seeking safety amid fears of further violence.
New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Violation of principles': Akal Takht directs filmmakers to refrain from making movies on Sikh historical figures
Gargaj pointed out that the Religious Advisory Committee of the SGPC had passed a resolution in 1934 strictly prohibiting the portrayal of Sikh Gurus and their family members. Similar resolutions were adopted in 1940, 2003, 2015, and 2022. The meeting was convened following the release of the film Akaal by Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal, which drew objections from Sikh organisations. The gathering included Sikh intellectuals, scholars, Panthic personalities, and artists who discussed the implications of films, animated productions, and AI-generated content related to Sikh Gurus, historical Sikh warriors, and Sikh history more broadly. Jathedar Gargaj later stated that the suggestions received during the meeting would be carefully reviewed. A committee will soon be formed to evaluate these suggestions in line with Sikh principles. A draft policy will be prepared in collaboration with the SGPC. Referring to Akshay Kumar's recent statement expressing his desire to make a film on Hari Singh Nalwa, Jathedar Gargaj reiterated that such a project would not be allowed. He emphasized that Nalwa, who was martyred in the Battle of Jamrud, is a revered figure in the Sikh community, and making films about Sikh martyrs is strictly prohibited. A statement issued by the Akal Takht Secretariat noted that scholars expressed concerns over how current technological trends pose significant challenges to Sikh identity, traditions, and philosophy. It stressed the importance of preserving and promoting traditional modes of religious engagement, such as oral traditions, Gurdwaras, and Sikh institutions. Jathedar Gargaj concluded by stating that all scholars present at the meeting unanimously agreed that the Sikh community cannot permit its heroes and martyrs to be used for commercial purposes. He emphasized that the Khalsa Panth remains clear and united in its position: no films should be made featuring representations of Sikh Gurus, their family members, Sahibzadas (sons of Gurus), Sikh martyrs, revered personalities, or Sikh religious ceremonies.
