New Delhi, October 21 (Manmohan Singh)
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka and General Secretary Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon have categorically refuted reports published in a section of the press claiming that the DSGMC had completely closed the passage of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib to Delhi Police personnel.Both leaders clarified that the DSGMC had issued no such order. They said the matter was being misrepresented and the facts were being wrongly interpreted, whereas the dsgmc’s sole objective is to uphold the religious decorum and sanctity of gurdwara Bangla Sahib.
Sardar Kalka and Sardar Kahlon stated that the passage adjoining Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is also used for various governmental and security-related functions. Both said that Delhi Police beat officers regularly use this route. Moreover, when the President of India, the Prime Minister, other high-ranking dignitaries, or foreign guests visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib to pay their respects, their convoys and security personnel also travel through this passage.
Both dsgmc leaders explained that, with regard to the incident of October 10, it was only stated that when a protest or demonstration is underway outside the Gurdwara, Delhi Police personnel should exercise particular care and avoid passing through the premises of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. However, interpreting this as a complete ban by the DSGMC on police movement is entirely incorrect.
The leaders further clarified that during the said incident, no instance had come to light of police personnel entering the darbar hall or langar hall of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, violating religious decorum, or engaging in any pushing, shoving, or violence against any individual. Nevertheless, they asserted that if any police personnel were to take any action that hurts the maryada of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, such conduct could not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka revealed that, while personally speaking with the Delhi Police DCP regarding the registration of an FIR against Arvind Kejriwal, he had suggested that when such a protest or demonstration is being held outside Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, police personnel should be instructed to avoid passing through the Gurdwara premises.
Both leaders emphasised that no matter concerning Gurdwara Bangla Sahib should be misrepresented without verifying the facts. They said that respecting the maryada of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and ensuring the smooth functioning of security arrangements is the shared responsibility of all concerned parties.
