AMRITSAR SAHIB—Following the demolition of the water stand of Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib by Delhi police on April 6, Sikh youth leader Bhai Papalpreet Singh said that Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib was not mere a building but a symbol of religious liberty. He said that Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib commemorates the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, who sacrificed his life to defend the rights of Hindus to practice their religion, yet now Hindu leaders are the ones demolishing this symbol.
Bhai Papalpreet Singh condemned the verdict delivered by the court asking for the water stand to be demolished as it was built outside of the Gurdwara properly. He said that not only Sikhs, but humans of all communities used to drink water from there to satisfy their thirst. He added that the Sikh ideology promoted the well-being of all communities and that Sikh warriors have made incomparable sacrifices to defend the oppressed. He said that the court should consider the importance of water from a humanitarian perspective, instead of blindly following the constitution.
On April 6, situation became tense in the Chandni Chowk area as the Municipal Corporation Department demolished a water stand at Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib in the early morning hours. The municipal corporation was carrying out orders by the Delhi High Court to remove illegal structures in the area. The High Court had earlier sent a notice to the Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee asking it to remove the water stand as it was encroaching upon the street. The Gurdwara committee however paid no attention.
After the water stand was removed, Gurdwara committee and local Sikhs rebuilt the water serving area immediately. President Manjit Singh GK of the DSGMC blamed the local Aam Aadmi Party Government for hurting sentiments of the Sikhs. AAP leaders however clarified that the Municipal Corporation nor the Delhi police are under its jurisdiction. Since then, AAP leaders have met with DSGMC officials to resolve the issue.
In response to allegations by the DSGMC, Bhai Jarnail Singh on April 12 said, “Delhi Govt. took initiative to resolve the Sees Ganj Piyaoo issue which is a result of Court order on Madhu Kishwar’s PIL. We Invited DSGMC and other representatives and PWD minister Satyender Jain [to clear] govenment’s stand which is against demolition of Piyaoo and Bhai Matidaas chok. 1.”
Kali dal chor hai. Badal murdabad.