Prominent Sikh and farmer organizations have called for a thorough police investigation and announced a major demonstration over the alleged disappearance of hundreds of sacred religious texts. The controversy centers on 328 copies (birs) of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib that are said to have gone missing from the custody of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Leaders Allege SGPC Inaction, Demand Police Probe
During a press conference on Monday, leaders from the Sikh Sadhbhawna Dal (SD) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) leveled serious allegations. Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, a key leader, stated that the sacred volumes disappeared from the SGPC's publication department back in 2015. He accused the SGPC, the apex religious body for managing Sikh shrines, of failing to take any concrete action despite the grave nature of the incident.
Dallewal criticized the committee for its lack of immediate response and demanded that the Punjab Police, under the Director General of Police (DGP), initiate a fair and transparent investigation into the matter. "We demand a transparent inquiry from the Punjab Police," Dallewal asserted, issuing a warning that protests would intensify if no action is taken.
Major Protest Scheduled for December 7 in Amritsar
To press for accountability, the leaders announced a large-scale demonstration scheduled for December 7 in Amritsar, the holy city housing the Golden Temple. Dallewal made it clear that this protest aims to force authorities to address the issue head-on. He linked his current activism to a vow made during the farmers' hunger strikes, reiterating his promise to raise the issue again if he survived the protests.
Another leader present, Baldev Singh Wadala, accused the administration of suppressing voices seeking justice. He referenced a protest from October 24, 2020, where individuals demanding answers about the missing birs were allegedly framed with false charges and physically assaulted.
Warnings and Allegations of Political Apathy
Dallewal also claimed that attempts to seek appointments with BJP leaders regarding the issue were denied, pointing to political apathy. During the press meet, he issued a stern warning against any potential tampering with the sacred copies, stating that any attempts to alter or damage the revered texts would lead to serious consequences.
"We will decide on the next course of action during this gathering, and we are committed to ensuring that the sanctity of our holy scriptures is protected," Dallewal declared. The leaders also noted that despite court directives in the past, no significant steps have been taken to resolve the matter, deepening the community's outrage.
The announcement has sparked renewed concern and anger within the Sikh community, which holds the Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the highest esteem as the eternal living Guru. All eyes are now on the December 7 protest and whether it will prompt the long-awaited investigation.
