Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia has stated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has tarnished the reputation of the entire Sikh community in his desperation to defame the Majithia family. Speaking to the media in Amritsar, Bikram Singh Majithia said that Mann has ordered an armed police attack on Gurdwara Akal Bunga Sahib, taking into consideration his sister Manpreet and wife Dr. Gurpreet’s proximity to a special group of Nihangs. While I can understand the Chief Minister’s frustration in issuing such an order, he should not tarnish the dignity of the entire Sikh community while attempting to defame me and my family.
Majithia said that Mann stated that Sikhs are a prestigious community. He mentioned Meerut, where Sikhs were treated like horse thieves. This statement by Mann is incorrect. He stated that Sikhs are highly respected in Meerut. The support for the farmers’ protest in Meerut can give an estimate of how much respect the Sikh community has received there.
Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), strongly condemned the statement that labeled the turbaned Sikhs as horse thieves. Advocate Dhami expressed deep dissatisfaction and demanded an immediate apology from Bhagwant Mann. Dhami stated that such remarks cannot be tolerated. The turban of a Sikh is blessed by Guru Sahib, and Sikhs have made numerous sacrifices for the pride of the turban. He said that the Chief Minister is disrespecting the symbols of Sikh religion for his political selfishness, which is very unfortunate