On the 38th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, Sikhs’ highest temporal seat Akal Takht Jathedar (head priest) Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday expressed concern over the growing number of churches, and mosques in villages, particularly in Punjab’s border belt. At the same time, the Jathedar called for opening shooting ranges to train the Sikhs in using modern weapons.

Giani Harpreet Singh, addressing the community at an event organized to mark the Operation Bluestar anniversary at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, expressed concern over the coming up of a large number of churches and mosques in Punjab’s villages, besides conversion to Christianity.

He urged the Sikh preachers to come out of their “comfort zones” and work hard by launching a drive against the growing trend of conversion, particularly in the state’s border belt.

“Today, we (the Sikhs) are facing a lot of challenges. Christianity is being spread in Punjab on a large scale to weaken us (Sikhs) religiously. Churches and mosques are being built in large numbers in the villages of Punjab, which is worrisome for us. I appeal to Sikh preachers to launch a drive against this on a large scale and counter this trend of conversion. Let us strengthen Sikhi in villages again. The border belt is affected the most, special attention needs to be paid there. This is the time to shed comforts of life and work tirelessly in this direction,” said Giani Harpreet Singh, in his customary address.

The Jathedar also expressed grave concern over the rise in drug abuse in Punjab, urging every Sikh to learn the use of modern weapons. Reacting to the massive build-up of security in the holy city ahead of the Operation Bluestar anniversary, he said that the Sikhs don't need security.

Giani Harpreet Singh said: “If we (Sikhs) are strengthened religiously, we will gain strength in other fields, too. Being weak religiously will keep Sikhs away from the ruling. The qaumi (community) spirit must be instilled in youngsters. This is a qaum (community) of lions created by Guru Gobind Singh. The government has turned Amritsar into a fortress to contain Sikh people but a Sikh never attacks any innocent person or without any reason.”

Undeterred by the controversy over his remarks advising the Sikhs to get licensed weapons, the Jathedar once again urged the Sikh institutions to open shooting ranges to train youngsters in operating modern weapons.

“We should open modern weapon training centres. There should be no hesitation in doing so. Other people are training their people in this regard secretly, we will do it openly,” he said.

“The concept of Sikh rule has been given to us by Guru Sahib. We reiterate this concept as raaj karega Khalsa and will be doing so forever,” he said, paying tribute to Bhindranwale and the devotees killed during the Indian Army’s operation.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) activists, led by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, also raised slogans. Mann also raised the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala on May 29 and demanded justice for the family.

Parallel acting Jathedar Dhian Singh Mand also delivered his address near Akal Takht.Amidst high-security arrangements, the event passed off peacefully. From the morning, thousands of devotees thronged the Akal Takht to attend the bhog ceremony of religious prayers that began on June 4.

The Akal Takht Jathedar and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials honoured the families of those who were killed during ‘Operation Bluestar’.

During the event, posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Khalistani flags were seen inside the Golden Temple. A large number of people had also carried banners and placards saying ‘Khalistan Zindabad’, and raised pro-Khalistan slogans during the event.

The police have imposed Section 144 around the shrine and carrying any kind of weapon was prohibited, including 'kirpan', yet a liberal approach was taken towards 'kirpan' apparently considering it as a religious symbol.

Warring raps Jathedar over call for arms training to Sikh youth

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday lashed out at Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh for his repeated call for providing arms training to the Sikh youth. “I wonder what message he is trying to give to the world in general and the Sikh community in particular,” he asked.

“Jathedar Sahib, your fascination for weaponizing Sikhs goes beyond the rationale of peaceful coexistence...Are you advocating training of weapons for all or only Sikhs and won’t it breed insecurity and mistrust amongst the rest?” he asked.

Asserting that this will do no good to Punjab, the party chief said that the suggestion for training Sikh youth could not have come at the wrong time as Punjab was still mourning the death of prominent singer Sidhu Moosewala, who fell to the bullets of criminals at a young age of 28.

“Your ill-advised call for weapons training could not have come at a wrong time,” said Warring, urging the Jathedar that instead of preaching arms training, he should spread the message of peace that the Sikh religion teaches and not the violence as training youth in using modern arms can only lead to violence. “Or may you tell us, what is the purpose of such training?”, he asked.