Sikh bodies slam Bhagwat

Sikh bodies in Punjab today criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's controversial statement that India is a Hindu nation and Hindutva is its identity.

Shriomani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Avtar Singh Makkar slammed Bhagwat saying the RSS chief was insulting the nation by issuing such statements.

"India has multi religion culture. But Bhagwat is hurling insult to nation by issuing vague statements that people living in India are Hindus," Makkar said.

Hitting out at Bhagwat, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said, "Sikh religion is separate and it will be wrong to say it was an offshoot of Hindu religion."
 

He asked Bhagwat to stop issuing such statements as sentiments of the Sikh community were being hurt.