The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the supreme governing body of gurdwaras, has expressed concerns over attacks on Sikhs in Canada and flagged “insecurity” among the people of the community living in that country.
On Monday, the SGPC passed a host of key resolutions in the general house meeting of the newly elected general body of the committee led by Harjinder Singh Dhami, during which it objected to “anti-Sikh forces” attempting to erode history, customs and principles of Sikhism.
The SGPC also urged India and the North American nation to work together to address this issue.
“Both India and Canada should cooperate with each other to address these issues and try to make Sikhs living there feel safe,” the SGPC said during the meeting at the Golden Temple, Sikhs’ holiest shrine in Punjab’s Amritsar.
India-Canada deteriorating relations affecting Punjabis
According to a report by The Economic Times, Dhami highlighted during the meeting that deteriorating relations between India and Canada are affecting a vast number of Indians, particularly Punjabis.
Earlier, he had urged that instead of hurling accusations against each other, India and Canada should take a sincere and logical approach to resolving the matter.
India and Canada have been dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023.
New Delhi rejected Canada’s allegations, terming it “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
What are resolutions passed by SGPC?
As per a report by Times of India (ToI), a resolution passed on Monday highlighted concerns about the “character assassination of Sikhs” on social media, urging the government to put a stop to these activities.
It also reportedly accused the government agencies of trying to undermine the Sikh community and called for an end to “conspiracies” affecting Sikh rights and heritage.
The SGPC also stressed that both New Delhi and Islamabad should extend the duration of the pilgrimage to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur in Pakistan.
To smoothen the process, SGPC also proposed removing passport requirements, introducing on-site permits through Aadhaar cards, and eliminating the $20 pilgrimage fee. They even demanded accessible and affordable travel arrangements for the devotees.
One of the SGPC’s resolutions specifically demanded the arrest of Sirsa’s Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and his associates for their alleged role in desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in 2015.
The SGPC condemned the negative portrayal of Sikhs in films, dramas, and television serials, and pitched to have its representatives on the national film censor board to ensure appropriate depiction of the community.
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SGPC flags ‘insecurity’ among Sikhs in Canada, says ‘anti-Panth forces’ hurting the community
