Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday strongly condemned the reported attempt to attack Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra. He said such incidents should never occur, especially inside a Gurdwara Sahib.
Condemning the incident, Pannu said, “The attempted attack must be strongly condemned. There is no place for violence in any religious institution, and the sanctity and dignity of Gurdwaras must be respected.”
At the same time, he stated that the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) must also understand the sentiments that continue to exist within the Sikh community regarding the 2015 sacrilege incidents.
Pannu said that the Akali Dal had formed the government five times by seeking votes in the name of the Panth, but during its tenure, several incidents of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place in 2015.
Referring to the protests that followed those incidents, he said, “When people came out to peacefully protest against the sacrilege, they were met with water cannons and bullets, and two Sikhs lost their lives.” He added that the pain and anger caused by those events still remain in the minds of many Sikhs.
Reiterating his position, Pannu said, “While any attempt to attack an individual must be condemned, the Akali Dal must also acknowledge the emotions and grievances that arose from the 2015 incidents.”
He concluded by emphasizing that the dignity of Gurdwara Sahib must be upheld and that no act of violence should take place at any religious site.
