Amritsar, March 20 — Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Wednesday urged the Himachal Pradesh government to take action against “communal” elements allegedly mistreating Punjabi youths.
In a statement, Dhami condemned the incidents, stating that Sikh devotees frequently travel to gurdwaras across the country. “It is unfortunate that in Himachal Pradesh, certain individuals are forcibly removing Nishan Sahib flags and images of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from Sikh pilgrims’ vehicles. This is creating an atmosphere of fear,” he said.
Dhami stressed that such actions were against the national interest. “It must never be forgotten that the existence of a multi-religious and multi-cultural society in the country is due to the sacrifices made by Sikhs,” he remarked.
Criticizing the silence of the Punjab government, Dhami said its inaction was not in the best interest of the state’s people. “It is the duty of the Punjab government to raise the issue of mistreatment with the Himachal Pradesh government,” he added.
The tensions stem from recent clashes between youths from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh over Bhindranwale’s image on vehicle flags. Following the altercation, Bhindranwale posters were pasted on Himachal buses in Hoshiarpur, and an HRTC bus was vandalized in Kharar, Mohali district.
