On SGPC complaint, poet held for hurting sentiments

Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ropar, July 9

The district police arrested Punjabi poet Surjit Gag here today on the charge of hurting religious feelings. On a complaint filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), a case was registered against him at Anandpur Sahib police station under Section 295-A of the IPC.

Gag had shared his poem, ‘Main te Nanak’ (I and Nanak), on Facebook a couple of days ago. The SGPC alleged that the poet had equated himself with Guru Nanak and used derogatory words against the first Sikh master.

Gag, who works as a television technician, is known for writing poetry against the political establishment and religious leaders. He hails from Gag village near Anandpur Sahib. At loggerheads with Sikh hardliners, he claimed to have received threats from them.

A few months ago, he lost primary membership of the local Likhari Sabha when he read out a poem criticising the Shiromani Akali Dal at an event where a senior party leader was invited as the chief guest.

SSP Raj Bachan Singh Sandhu said the complaint was lodged by Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib manager Ranjit Singh. The latter said he had acted on the directions of SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar.

“We can’t tolerate a word against our Gurus,” Ranjit Singh said.

Meanwhile, Left groups have lodged a protest against the poet’s arrest. Ranbir Randhawa of the Punjab Students’ Union, Surjit Singh of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions, Jasmer Singh of Tarksheel Society and CPI district secretary Davinder Nangli termed the arrest as an attack by the state government on freedom of expression.

In eye of storm

• Surjit Gag had shared his poem, ‘Main te Nanak’ (I and Nanak), on Facebook a couple of days ago 
• The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee alleged that the poet had equated himself with Guru Nanak and used derogatory words against the first Sikh master
• A case has been registered against Gag on a complaint lodged by Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib manager Ranjit Singh