Sikh Diaspora condemns violence in Golden Temple premises

Sikh leaders and Diaspora across world have condemned the violence held today in the Golden Temple premises, particularly at the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.

Notably activists of various radical Sikh bodies today had clash with Task force men of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak committee (SGPC) while remembering their martyrs who were killed thirty years back in "Operation Bluestar".

SGPC member Rajinder Singh Mehta, executive body member Gurbachan Singh Karmuwal and others in a joint press release alleged that Mann and Ajnala were responsible for the unfortunate incident.

They said Maan and Ajnala never liked SGPC holding the ceremony to observe anniversary of Operation

Bluestar so they deliberately created hooliganism to disrupt the function. They said on Friday , Maan and

Ajnala tried to snatch microphone from and even injured one of the Panj Pyara (five beloved ones). They also demanded from administration to take strict action against them.

SGPC President, Avtar Singh Makkar condemned the incident. However Makkar who attended the Bhog ceremony, chose to move away when the clashes happen and did not turned up to defuse the situation.

Talking from San Francisco, Dr. Pritpal Singh, the convener of the American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), said: "I strongly condemned the Violence who so ever responsible for that and If there are any differences, they should be solved through dialogue."

He appealed to the authorities at the Akal Takhat and senior Sikh leadership to take appropriate measures to restore peace.

Kiranjot Kaur , senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal and executive member of SGPC while condemning the incident said that opine that such acts of violence give a jolt to the peaceful Sikh community worldwide.

SGPC which is considered as a mini parliament of the Sikhs has been taking care of the most of the historical Sikh shrines in India and representating the community while dealing various Sikh issues.

Captain Amrinder Singh, member Parliament from Amritsar though condemned the incident but blame SGPC for failing to handle the situation. He told ANI, "It's very unfortunate, it is the duty of SGPC to ensure security inside the temple premises". He said, " the incident could have easily been prevented had both the sides exercised restrain and restricted themselves to the purpose of the meeting and not indulged in publicity hunting."

Kanwerpal Singh, spokesperson of Dal Khalsa who was also there at the time of incident claims that none of their men were involved in the incident. He said he and Dal Khalsa leaders and their activists were already detained by the police.

Parmjit Singh Sarna, the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), while condemning the incident appeals to the people of Punjab to maintain the peace that has comes after long time.

Anil Joshi , Punjab's cabinet minister for local bodies condemned the incident and said that the authorities should given any opportunity to those miscreants to disturb the peace of Punjab.

While condemning the clashes between sikhs at the Akal Takht, H. S. Phoolka, senior APP leader said "Unfortunate what happened,problem is Badal's party wants to control Akal Takht and Golden Temple. (ANI)

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