SIRMAUR: A delegation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) and Sikh religious leaders on Saturday raised concerns over a recent clash involving Sikh pilgrims in Uttarakhand, news agency ANI reported.The leaders alleged that four community members arrested after a clash with locals were subjected to “third-degree torture” and called for their immediate release.They also demanded that cases be registered against those they claimed were involved in the incident.Baba Major Singh Sodhi, while speaking about the arrests, alleged severe police brutality.“Before they were presented before the court, their legs were broken. Their pagdi was taken off, and they were subjected to third-degree torture. We demanded from the government that they be immediately released. And FIR should also be lodged against the locals who were involved. The administration has sought some time. If our demands are not met, more jathas will come from Punjab,” he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.According to ANI, Sodhi said discussions had taken place with senior officials in Haryana and Uttarakhand over the matter.“We had also spoken with Haryana chief minister as a meeting was fixed with the head of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Phone conversation with Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami was also done. We were given an assurance,” he said.HSGMC member Harmanpreet Singh said the delegation visited the area following directions from the committee leadership to address concerns regarding the safety of pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib.“In the past few days, our president, Jagjit Singh Dinda Ji, met with chief minister Nayab Singh Saini. He discussed this issue with him. And today, a delegation of ours has reached here according to his instructions. We have met with the organizations (jathebandis) and discussions are ongoing. The incident that took place in the past few days is strongly condemned by the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in the harshest words,” he said.He said adequate security arrangements were needed as thousands of pilgrims undertake the annual pilgrimage.“Furthermore, we demand from the Uttarakhand administration and the chief minister that arrangements for the safety of our groups (jathas) who go for the darshan of Hemkund Sahib should be made. This is because pilgrims go to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara in lakhs. Such minor incidents that have occurred cause tension to increase across the entire country. It is the age of social media. There are some mischievous elements because of whom the entire atmosphere becomes tense,” Harmanpreet Singh said.Another HSGMC member, Gurjeet Singh, appealed for harmony while accusing the authorities of taking one-sided action.“I want to say that the Sikh community is one that prays for the well-being of all (Sarbat da bhala). This is a community that believes in taking everyone along. If you go to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), there are four doors representing all four religions: Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian. There is equality for all four religions there,” he said.He added, “And the Sikh community prays for everyone’s well-being. As I would like to share, the Sikh religion was founded by Baba Nanak Dev Ji. He chose Bala and Mardana, a Hindu and a Muslim, to accompany him, sending a message that all are one. First and foremost, a person should be a human being and part of humanity. He gave a message of unity for all religions.”Criticising the handling of the clash, Gurjeet Singh said, “However, the actions taken by the government there are completely wrong. They targeted one community, and cases were filed against them even though they were tourists. It was the duty of the police and administration to take equal action against whoever was at fault. If you don’t hold the guilty party accountable, they will repeat the mistake a second and even a third time. I repeatedly urge the administration to take equal action against the guilty and file cases against them.”He further said, “This is necessary so that there is no hindrance to the ongoing Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage in the future. As you know, tourists travel across the country. The highest number of tourists in the country visit Darbar Sahib in Amritsar. There, Hindus and Muslims sit together in the same row to partake in langar. Everyone is given equal respect. Have you ever heard of such an incident occurring there? Everyone is treated with honour.”Gurjeet Singh appealed to people to maintain peace and urged Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure equal action.“I also appeal to society to maintain this brotherhood among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. My request to Pushkar Dhami Ji, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, is that equal action be taken. Do not look at this through the lens of elections, as it creates discord in society. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,” he said.(With inputs from ANI)
