Taking note of the reported `objections’ of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) to his alleged ‘interference in religious...

Taking note of the reported `objections’ of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) to his alleged ‘interference in religious affairs’, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that maintenance of law and order in the state was his foremost responsibility, which he was committed to fulfilling. In a letter to SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, the Chief Minister said threatening one another was not acceptable in a civilized society and he did not approve of such action, either as Chief Minister or as an individual.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal

Citing newspaper statement regarding the apprehension expressed by him on the differences between the Damdami Taksal and Sant Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, the Chief Minister wrote to Longowal that if there was any difference of opinion amongst various Sikh sects, “then it is your bounden duty as Chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee to either resolve this issue or seek intervention of the Jathedar of the highest Sikh temporal institution, Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”

Sant Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale

Punjab had passed through extremely difficult times, and it was time now for traditional institutions such as SGPC to take the initiative to resolve such issues amicably, wrote the Chief Minister. “Since you are the President of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, as such the onus lies with you to take necessary steps in this regard,” said Captain Amarinder Singh.

Sri Akal Takht Sahib

Captain Amarinder’s letter came in response to media reports quoting Longowal as saying that the Chief Minister should refrain from creating friction between religious preachers, Sant Samaj, and Sikh organizations. Longowal’s statement was reportedly a reaction to the Chief Minister’s warning to Damdami Taksal following an open death threat, on a video, by its spokesperson against Dhadrianwale.