Days after his remark over weapons, Punjab govt withdraws Akal Takht jathedar’s security

Six personnel, three from Bathinda police and three from the India Reserve Battalion, were guarding the head of the highest Sikh temporal seat

Five days after the Akal Takht acting jathedar asked Sikhs to keep a licensed weapon in view of the “uncertain times”; a remark that did not go down well with chief minister Bhagwant Mann; the Punjab government withdrew half of Giani Harpreet Singh’s security on Saturday.

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 Akal Takht jathedar had said: Every Sikh should try to keep licensed weapons, because the time that is coming, and the circumstances which are going to prevail, demand it. (HT file photo)

Six personnel, three from Bathinda police, and three from the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), a special armed force, were guarding the head of the highest Sikh temporal seat.

“This morning, we came to know that three personnel of Bathinda police have been called back by their senior officers,” Giani Harpreet Singh said over the phone. “We don’t need the rest of the personnel guarding us either. We have asked officials of Punjab Police to take back the IRB personnel also,” he said.

“Khalsa Panth and the Sikh youths are there for our security. There is no need of government’s security,” the jathedar said.

Hours after his security was withdrawn, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took responsibility of his security. On the direction of SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, four SGPC employees were deployed to guard Giani Harpreet Singh.

Video message that triggered controversy

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 Akal Takht jathedar had said: “Every Sikh should try to keep licensed weapons, 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.” He, however, did not explain what circumstances he was referring to.

“Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib ji, your statement about weapons... Jathedar ji, you should send across Gurbani’s message of ‘sarbat da bhala’ (welfare of all) to every house instead of that of possessing weapons. Jathedar sahab, we should give the message of peace, brotherhood and modern development rather than of modern weapons,” the chief minister had tweeted, taking note of his remark.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and his BJP counterpart Ashwani Sharma took exception to Giani Harpreet Singh’s statement, but Shiromani Akali Dal leaders had backed the jathedar.