Urges Government to Immediately Trace Conspirator Sending Emails
Amritsar, 16 July –
Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib is a spiritual and inclusive centre for all humanity, drawing lakhs of devotees from India and abroad every day. The recent series of threatening emails warning of bomb attacks at this sacred site is a matter of grave concern. This was stated by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami while addressing the media at the SGPC office on Wednesday.
Advocate Dhami revealed that five emails have been continuously received since July 14. The SGPC has already informed the government and the police administration about these threats. However, he expressed disappointment that even now, the identity of the sender remains unknown. He questioned whether these threats are simply the mischief of a malicious mind or part of a larger conspiracy.
He further stated that an attempt might be underway to create fear among the large number of devotees who come daily to pay obeisance at this sacred site, which should also be investigated. Dhami emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to urgently trace the origin of these emails, including the server, IP address, and country being used.
He disclosed that the threatening emails sent on July 15 and 16 were not only addressed to the SGPC but also to Amritsar Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. However, their silence on this issue raises serious questions, Advocate Dhami said.
Advocate Dhami expressed concern that the emails are being sent using the names of prominent individuals, yet the government has failed to uncover who is behind them. He said that the SGPC has previously lodged several complaints with the Punjab Police regarding fake and parody social media accounts operating in the SGPC’s name, but the Cyber Cell has not taken any substantial action, reflecting the state’s lack of seriousness toward Sikh institutions.
Advocate Dhami assured that the SGPC is fulfilling its responsibilities diligently, and the entire complex of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib is being managed with utmost care by the management. He appealed to the devotees not to be fearful while coming to pay respects and noted that people are still arriving in large numbers as always.
Speaking on the proposed desecration law by the Punjab Government, Advocate Dhami welcomed the move but stressed that the government must approach the matter with seriousness. He said this is not the first time such a law is being discussed; the earlier Shiromani Akali Dal government also held discussion on the issue, and the matter should be taken forward in the spirit of respecting the sentiments.
He pointed out that most incidents of sacrilege in Punjab are related to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and the proposed law’s language merely referring to “holy scriptures” is inadequate and hurts Sikh sentiments. He said while scriptures of all faiths are very respectable, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is accorded the status of eternal Guru by the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh himself. For Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the living, eternal Guru, and thus any law made in this regard must contain specific provisions concerning the Sikh sentiments. He emphasized that besides the teachings of Sikh Gurus, Sri Guru Granth Sahib also includes the writings of saints, bards, and Sikhs from diverse communities, giving a universal message to humanity.
Present on the occasion were SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, Member Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur, Bawa Singh Gumanpura, Harjap Singh Sultanwind, Amarjit Singh Bandala, OSD Satbir Singh, Secretary Partap Singh, Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Personal Secretary Shahbaz Singh, Additional Secretary Bijay Singh, Assistant Secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Harbhajan Singh Vakta and Sikh scholar Dr Amarjit Singh, among others.
Former MP Shwet Malik Meets Advocate Dhami
In connection with the threatening emails received regarding Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, former MP Shri Shwait Malik met SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami at the SGPC office today. Speaking on the matter, Advocate Dhami stated that the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, understanding the sensitivity of the issue, had sent BJP leader and former MP Shwait Malik to engage with the SGPC. He expressed his gratitude for the gesture. However, Advocate Dhami criticized the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and state ministers for failing to make any contact so far on this grave issue related to the central place of Sikh faith.