Evict securitymen from Haryana gurdwara inns, Akal Takht tells HSGMC

Amritsar, February 15

Taking a serious notice of the alleged violation of “rehat maryada” (Sikh code of conduct) on gurdwaras premises in Haryana, Akal Takht has directed the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) to evict the police and paramilitary forces who have been accommodated in inns in view of the farmers’ agitation.

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said complaints had been received that the Haryana Police and paramilitary forces personnel putting up at Sri Manji Sahib, Ambala, and Sri Panjokhara Sahib were consuming tobacco and alcohol, thereby violating the code of Sikh shrines.

Violation of ‘maryada’

Intolerable incidents of consumption of intoxicants at gurdwara inns by the security forces have come to the fore, for which HSGMC office-bearers are answerable. Devotees have recovered packets of consumed tobacco products and cigarettes. This is a gross violation of ‘maryada’. —Giani Raghbir Singh, Akal Takht Jathedar

“Intolerable incidents of consumption of intoxicants at gurdwara inns by the security forces have come to the fore, for which HSGMC office-bearers are answerable. Devotees have recovered packets of consumed tobacco products and cigarettes. This is a gross violation of ‘maryada’. The HSGMC has been directed to get the inns vacated, as these are meant for devotees only,” he said. He also condemned the stubborn attitude being adopted by the Central and Haryana governments towards the farmers fighting for their rights.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also condemned the violation of “maryada” in gurdwaras. He said the HSGMC was forcibly formed at the behest of the government by breaking up the SGPC.