Amritsar, October 13 — Expressing concern over the alleged caste-based harassment that led to the death of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj on Sunday condemned casteism as a “deeply troubling social evil” that runs contrary to Sikh philosophy and India’s constitutional values.
Kumar, 52, a 2001-batch IPS officer, died by suicide at his Chandigarh residence on October 7. In an eight-page note, he accused eight senior officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and now-transferred Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya, of “blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, and public humiliation.”
In a statement issued from Amritsar, Gargaj said the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, “stands firmly against all forms of discrimination” and urged society to unite against caste-based prejudice. “The tragic incident is a glaring reflection of the centuries-old caste bias still prevailing in India. It deserves the strongest condemnation,” he said.
He added that despite the constitutional guarantee of equality, discrimination continues to exist in various spheres of life. “There is an urgent need to transform the casteist mindset that still grips many sections of society,” Gargaj noted.
The Jathedar said that Sikhism rejects caste distinctions and upholds the principle of universal equality. “According to the Sikh Gurus’ philosophy, all humans are equal, so it is deeply concerning that caste-based prejudices still surface in this age,” he said.
Citing examples from Sikh history and practice, Gargaj said Punjab, the land of the Sikh Gurus, continues to uphold their teachings of universal brotherhood. “The Harmandar Sahib and its sacred Sarovar are living examples of equality, where people from across the world can pray, take a holy dip, and partake in the langar of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji without any discrimination,” he said.
He urged all sections of society to raise their voices against casteism, calling it a “sensitive social issue that demands collective effort and awareness.” “Punjab should continue to serve as an example for the rest of the country by spreading the Sikh philosophy of equality and compassion,” Gargaj said.
Owing to the inclusive teachings of the Sikh Gurus, he said, many people from so-called lower castes have embraced Sikhism, which treats everyone as equal before God. “The Sikh community will continue to oppose any form of caste-based oppression and injustice with full determination,” the Jathedar affirmed.
He also appealed for unity and vigilance against “false narratives and hate propaganda” that seek to divide communities. “The Akal Takht stands unequivocally against all caste-based discrimination, and our collective voice must remain strong in upholding the dignity and equality of every human being,” Gargaj said.
