NEW DELHI—On may 11, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee lodged an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Cabinet Minister Satinder Jain and MLA Alka Lamba for hurting Sikh sentiments by demolishing a water stall (piao) installed outside Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib.
The piao was demolished by the Delhi government following directions of Delhi High Court in a case pertaining to land dispute. Sharp clash between Sikh devotees and Delhi policemen had occurred after demolition of the stall on April 6.
Addressing a press conference, DSGMC President Manjit Singh GK refuted the allegations raised by Public Work Department and Shahjahanbad Redevelopment Corporation that the water stall was constructed illegally by the DSGMC. Accusing MLA Alka Lamba for playing politics over religious issues, GK said that the MLA had knowingly demolished water shelf so that she can charge illegal ransoms from other building owners of Chandni Chowk who have illegally constructed buildings.
DSGMC General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that an FIR under sections 120-B, 153-A, 295-A, 499, 500 and 501 has been registered against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Cabinet Minister Satinder Jain and MLA Alka Lamba. Accusing Kejriwal for following double standards towards Sikhs, Sirsa said that on one side Kejriwal government has installed a board pointing towards memorial of Bhai Mati Dass Ji and the other it has demolished the building.
Manjinder Sirsa compared the demolition of the water stall with the 1984 massacres against the Sikhs in Delhi. “Alka Lamba got the piao outside Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib demolished wrongfully. By doing this she has done injustice to the Sikhs,” Sirsa told Sikh24.
He condemned Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister over lack of coordination between the municipal department and the police, which led to a violent clash outside the Gurdwara last month.
On April 6, situation became tense in the Chandni Chowk area as the Municipal Corporation Department demolished a water stall 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. DSGMC President Manjit Singh GK has since 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.”
