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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sikh man attacked in US: Akal Takht acting Jathedar seeks strict action, says ‘incident must be recorded as hate crime'
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, on Wednesday called for strict punishment for the accused in the alleged hate crime attack on a 70-year-old Sikh in the United States. Last week, Harpal Singh was walking near Saticoy Street and Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood, California, when a man on a bicycle attacked him with a golf club, causing serious injuries, US media reported. While Singh has undergone three surgeries and remains critical, the Los Angeles Police Department has arrested a suspect. 'This incident must be recorded as a hate crime, and the motive should be made public,' Gargajj said. He also referred to the FBI's 2024 hate crime report, which recorded 153 incidents targeting Sikhs, making them the third most-targeted religious group in the US. Gargajj urged Sikh organisations in the US to increase public awareness about Sikh identity and to seek support from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sri Akal Takht Sahib when needed. 'Sikhs living in the USA should unite, raise their voice with local authorities, and demand enhanced security measures,' he said. Jathedar Gargajj also advised Sikhs abroad to remain alert, be equipped for self-defence, and avoid sending elderly family members out alone. 'An attack on one Sikh is an attack on the entire community. Such incidents must be dealt with collectively and seriously,' he said. He also called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to ensure, through the Indian mission in the US, that the assault is officially classified as a hate crime and that strong action is taken against the accused. Jathedar Gargajj assured Singh's family that the Akal Takht Sahib and the Sikh community 'stand with them' and directed the SGPC to liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs on the matter.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj discusses concerns over martyrdom anniv of Guru Teg Bahadur, desecration laws with Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria
Anandpur Sahib (Ropar): Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday paid obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib. During his visit, the governor held a special meeting with Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht and jathedar of the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, at his official residence here. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The governor was honoured with a siropao by Gargajj and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla. Kataria was also presented with a shawl and a photo frame of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. During the meeting, the jathedar raised several important matters before the governor, including the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur; the demand for stricter laws against desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and other granths; environmental concerns over a proposed paper mill near Chamkaur Sahib; eviction of poor families near Mattewara forest; rising police encounters in Punjab; and religious conversions. Speaking to the mediapersons after the meeting, jathedar Gargajj said the discussion with the governor was held in a positive atmosphere and Kataria attentively listened to all the concerns raised and assured appropriate action. The jathedar emphasised that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur should be commemorated nationwide and globally to reflect the Guru's principles of human rights and religious freedom. He proposed that both Punjab and central govts should organise the commemoration ceremonies in collaboration with the SGPC. Jathedar Gargajj also raised objections to the proposed construction of a paper factory near Sri Chamkaur Sahib in Ropar district, saying it poses a serious environmental threat near the sacred martyrdom site of the eldest Sahibzadas. The jathedar warned that the pollution caused by this factory would harm public health and damage Punjab's environment, air, and water. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The govt's eviction drive against impoverished families living near the Mattewara forest was also raised during the meeting. The jathedar noted that these families had lived there for decades and displacing them would violate human rights and the humanitarian spirit of Punjab. Gargajj also urged the governor to support the formulation of strict laws specifically addressing the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib. He said while all religious granths deserved respect, Guru Granth Sahib held the status of a living Guru for the Sikhs, and therefore, demanded special legal protection and stringent punishment for acts of desecration. He further said Sikhs must also ensure constant vigilance in gurdwaras to protect against incidents of desecration. Addressing the issue of police encounters, the Jathedar pointed out that several incidents in the last seven months followed a suspiciously similar narrative – suspects allegedly opened fire when taken to recover weapons and were killed in retaliation. He stressed that "punishment should be the prerogative of courts, not the police". He said although the murder of the Abohar-based businessman was extremely tragic, law and order was the responsibility of the state govt. A former sarpanch of the Akali Dal was also killed in Amritsar, he recalled, while emphasising that the cases of police encounters should stop and the courts should punish the culprits. Referring to the killing of two youths in connection with the Abohar murder case, the jathedar said their families termed the alleged encounter as "fake" and were seeking justice. "The truth will come out in time," he said. "But such practices of encounters must be curbed. Punjab should not become a police state," Gargajj stressed. The issue of religious conversion was also discussed. The jathedar said conversions through inducements, fear, deception, or false miracles were unacceptable and stressed the need for efforts to "lovingly bring back" those families who had been "misled" into changing their faith. MSID:: 122389451 413 |
