JAMMU, KASHMIR – Protesting against the desecration of the holy book in neighbouring Punjab and seeking action against the culprits, a Sikh group in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday burnt an effigy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Condemning the incident and calling it as ‘painful and provoking’, nearly two dozen activists of Sikh group, Gurmat Taksal J&K, demonstrated here.
Sukhbir Singh, head of Gurmat Taksal said, “It has now become a routine that pages of Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scripture) are torn and desecrated. We, the Sikhs, can’t tolerate it now. If no action is taken against miscreants, responsible for such incidents, it will become a do or die situation for us.”
“Punjab government and the Centre have failed to expose and nab the culprits. It has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. Recently, ‘Saroop’ (embodiment) of Guru Granth Sahib was also stolen. These incidents have potential of creating communal unrest. We do not want any disturbance. We are peace loving community but justice has to be done,” Sukhbir added.
The protesters alleged that the desecration is the handiwork of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and elements of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is part of coalition government in Punjab.
“RSS and some BJP people are hell-bent on communal flare-up in India. Minorities feel insecure today; it has raised questions over India’s democratic and pluralistic character,” they added.
As the protesters raised pro-Khalistan, anti-BJP and anti-Punjab government slogans while burning the Prime Minister’s effigy, a large number of police personnel had reached the protest site. However, the protestors had dispersed peacefully.
