Radical Hindu Organization ‘Shiv Sena’ Petitions High Court To Ban Sarbat Khalsa 2016
Posted: 02 Dec 2016
Shiv Sena File Photo
CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Shiv Sena, an extremist Hindu organization, has moved a petition in the Punjab & Haryana High Court seeking a ban on the Sarbat Khalsa 2016 event, slated for December 8 at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo).
Addressing a media conference at Chandigarh on December 1, national president of the Shiv Sena, Pawan Gupta, said that the Shiv Sena will continue its legal war to stop the event. He complained that the same organizers had displayed posters & banners promoting Khalistan during Sarbat Khalsa 2015.
Singing nationalistic songs, Pawan Gupta said the Sikh congregation was dangerous for the law & order and national integrity of the country as the event is being directed by Jathedar Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is the assassinator of the ex-Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant ‘Singh’.
Targeting the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) S. Simranjit Singh Mann, Pawan Gupta said that Mann often issues statements favouring Pakistan. He alleged that the convening Sikh Congregation on December 8 was aimed at promoting a voice for a separate Sikh state, which, he claimed, doesn’t adhere to the institution of a ‘Sarbat Khalsa’. He challeneged the Mann to have debate over the institution of ‘Sarbat Khalsa’, according to Sikh tenets and Gurbani scriptures.
In a sharp retort, the Vice-President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Bhai Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal slammed the Shiv Sena President for claiming the Sarbat Khalsa 2016 was not in accordance to Sikh tenets. He said that the existence of Hindu religion is due to the steadfast stand taken by the Sikhs of 18th century via the Sarbat Khalsa gatherings. He further said that the Hindu religion might have become extinct if the Sikhs hadn’t fought against the Mughals for the Hindu’s right to existence. He suggested that the Shiv Sena ought to stay within the remits of the affairs of its own religion, as it doesn’t have any right to interfere in Sikh issues.
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has deferred an earlier hearing on a petition regarding Sarbat Khalsa 2016, to December 5.
Speaking to Sikh24, Advocate Simranjit Singh shared that on being questioned by High Court, the Punjab government has told the court that the planned SK-2016 in November was banned although the upcoming one has not.