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Centre gives Akal Takht jathedar Z-category security after Punjab govt flip-flop
Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh appealed to the Centre to revoke its decision, saying that it was not possible for him to accept it.
The Union government on Friday provided Z-category security to Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh after the Punjab government’s flip-flop over his security cover. However, the jathedar appealed to the Centre to revoke this decision, saying that it was not possible for him to accept it.
Hours after stoking a controversy by partially removing the security cover of Giani Harpreet Singh, the Punjab government on May 28 sought to restore it but he had refused, saying Sikh youngsters and Khalsa Panth were enough for his security.
The Punjab Police first withdrew the security of 424 people, including Giani Harpreet Singh, who had a few days ago advised Sikhs to keep licensed weapons, drawing criticism from chief minister Bhagwant Mann.
Quoting sources, news agency ANI tweeted on Friday, “Union home ministry to provide CRPF Z-cover security to jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh. Earlier, Punjab government had reduced his security cover.” However, Giani Harpreet Singh said: “I am also getting to know about this through the media.”
‘I will ask govt to suspend decision’
“Being jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, my duty is to preach the religious values, for which I have to visit across the country and go out of the country also,” the jathedar said.
“I respect the sentiments of the government that it is worried about my security. However, I would like to convey that carrying such security cover for me will create some problems while doing parchar of the religion. So I would like to ask the government to suspend the decision of giving me such security, so that I can openly and freely interact with the devotees,” he said, adding, “I would like to ask the government to revoke the decision of giving me security as it is not fit for me.”
Earlier, welcoming the Centre’s move, BJP leader and former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjinder Singh Sirsa tweeted: “Thanking Union Home Minister Amit Shah for granting Z security to temporal authority of Sikhs Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh Ji.”
Video message that triggered row
In a video message to the Sikh community on the 416th anniversary of Gurgaddi Diwas (anointment anniversary) of the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind, on May 23, the jathedar had said: “Every Sikh should try to keep a licensed weapon, because the time that is coming, and the circumstances which are going to prevail, demand it. The Sikh youth should be skilful in ‘gatka’ (Sikh martial art) and shooting.”
Bhagwant Mann took exception to the message and said: “You should send across Gurbani’s message of ‘sarbat da bhala’ (welfare of all) to every house instead of asking Sikh youngsters to carry weapons.”
