Stopping from taking out Nagar Kirtan is an attack on religious freedom of Sikhs, says SGPC

:dateline:SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal has condemned UP police’s act of booking Sikhs, who were taking out the Nagar Kirtan, by saying that it is a direct attack on the religious freedom of Sikhs, which cannot be tolerated.

It is pertinent to note here that Sikhs were stopped from taking out the Nagar Kirtan in commemoration of martyrdom day of Chaar Sahibzaades at village Kheri Naubramad in Pilibhit of UP on December 29. 55 Sikhs have booked in an FIR registered under section 188 of IPC.�

SGPC has termed this incident as a dictatorial decision and has strongly condemned it.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal has said that the Sikh sangat all over the world pay homage by taking out Nagar Kirtan on the occasion of Gurpurabs and other historical days. “But it is a matter of concern that a case has been registered in a village of Pilibhit against the Sikhs, who were taking out the Nagar Kirtan,” he added.

Longowal said that Sikhs are very angry against the anti-Sikh decision of UP Police. The religious sentiments of Sikhs have been hurt with the police action. He added that Nagar Kirtan taken out by Sikh community not only pay homage to Guru Sahib but also unites the humanity.�

“At this time people of all religions join together in Gurdwaras, but it is matter of surprise that UP police did not permit to take out the Nagar Kirtan,” he maintained.

SGPC president further said that UP government should take strict action against the guilty policemen.

He has made it clear that the Sikh community would not tolerate such type of incident in future.�