Amritsar, December 24 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami, termed the ban on wearing Kirpan (Sri Sahib) of Sikhs in court complexes or government institutions in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as unfortunate and against religious freedom.

S. Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “For Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs, Kirpan is one of the important five Kakaars, wearing which is must as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct). Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru (master), at the time of formation of Khalsa had made it mandatory for initiated Sikhs to wear five Kakaar, which is an important part of living as Khalsa.”

SGPC President said that the Kirpan is not a knife or a dagger but a symbol of faith for the Sikhs.

“The decision of the Peshawar High Court has caused great resentment in the minds of Sikhs. The Sikhs have settled all over the world and now the governments of different countries have allowed Sikhs to wear Kirpan at other places including airports. Pakistan had been a part of India since 1947, so the people living there are well aware of the Sikh history and traditions”, said S. Harjinder Singh Dhami.

SGPC President said that governments and courts should respect the sentiments of the Sikh community.

SGPC President appealed to the Government of Pakistan to resolve the issue immediately and also urged the Government of India to contact the government in the neighbouring country to resolve the issue.