-Uttarakhand government should take strict action against culprits- Kulwant Singh Mannan
-In view of disrespect of turban and Kes, sections of hurting religious sentiments should be added to FIR- Kulwant Singh Mannan
Amritsar, March 3 – The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has strongly condemned the attack on a Sikh businessman in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand by mob and the vandalism of his showroom. Taking serious note of the incident, SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan has written to Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami and the state police, demanding swift and stringent action against the perpetrators.
Mannan emphasized that viral footage of the attack that took place on Sunday, clearly shows a mob not only physically assaulting Sikh traders but also pelting stones at their showrooms, causing significant damage. He pointed out that the mob forcibly removed the victim Sikh’s turban, an act of sacrilege, and desecrated his Kes (unshorn hair). Given these religious violations, he urged the authorities to add sections of hurting religious sentiments in the case against the culprits.
The SGPC has reached out to the victim and assured full support. According to the businessman, a local Congress councillor has been harassing Sikh traders for some time and is allegedly behind this attack. Mannan, in his letter to the Chief Minister Uttarakhand, has urged the state government to ensure a fair investigation, identify all culprits, and take immediate legal action.
Furthermore, the SGPC has called upon governments at all levels to safeguard the rights and security of minority Sikhs across India.