SIKKIM, India—Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other religious articles from within Gurdwara Guru Dangmaar Sahib (Sikkim) was removed from the Gurdwara Sahib premises by local Buddhists and villagers after local authorities decreed that the Gurdwara Sahib will be converted for alternative uses. Situated at an altitude of 18000 feet at Indo-Tibetan border, Gurdwara Dangmaar Sahib was established in 1971 by and for Sikh army men.
Bhai Yadwinder Singh, who is serving as a ‘Granthi’ in the Gurdwara Sahib, revealed that some local Buddhists and other people had brought the Holy Scripture and other religious articles of Gurdwara Sahib to handover over to him but he refused to accept them as it was a forced upon him.
“At this, the Buddhists ran away and placed the Holy Scripture and whole religious articles on road,” he added.
Bhai Yadwinder Singh further shared that he then respectfully again installed the Holy Scripture of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Gurdwara Sahib with the help of other Sikhs.
SGPC members S. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, S. Rajinder Singh Mehta, Colonel Davinder Singh Grewal had immediately arrived on spot as soon as news of the incident became apparent.
Speaking to Sikh24, Colonel Davinder Singh Grewal said that some fanatics had earlier also tried to take over possession of this Gurdwara Sahib and the then SGPC President Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra was apprised about it at that time. He added that Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra had forced the then Defense Minister George Fernandez to intervene, resulting the matter being resolved.
Colonel Davinder Singh further said that these miscreants had deliberately removed the Sri Nishan Sahib from Gurdwara premises and had tried to convert it into a prayer place of all religions by placing statues of Hindu and Buddhists prophets.
SGPC President Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar has expressed deep concern over this unfortunate incident. He said that he would take up the matter with Union government of India to sort the matter at the earliest.
SGPC needs to set up an Punjab in Sikkim.