SGPC condemns Punjab Police action at Golden Temple

Amritsar: A day after the Punjab Police personnel allegedly picked two persons from the parikrama (circumambulation) of Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday described the action as "arbitrary" and "interference" in the shrine's management.In a press statement, Partap Singh, secretary, SGPC, said a large number of devotees from India and abroad visit Golden Temple daily to pay obeisance. He stated that taking anyone into custody without informing the shrine's management was inappropriate and hurts the religious sentiments of the devotees. Surprisingly on Friday Partap Singh had denied any such incident within in Golden Temple complex.Partap Singh further said the Golden Temple was the central place of faith for the Sikh community, where the police could not be given free run to carry out such actions.He also highlighted that no prior information was shared with the SGPC or the Golden Temple management regarding the police action. An administrative inquiry into the incident is underway, and its report will be submitted to the executive committee of the SGPC, Partap Singh added.Meanwhile, sources said the persons taken into custody were identified as Satvinder Singh, a resident of village Mohan Ke Hithar in Ferozepur district, and his son, Prince.According to Satvinder Singh's wife, Lakhbir Kaur, the family arrived at the Golden Temple along with her mother-in-law, Rukmini Devi, to pay obeisance when her husband and son were allegedly picked up by the police.The incident was also condemned by the head granthi of the Golden Temple, Giani Raghbir Singh.MSID:: 127819048 413 |