SGPC President orders an inquiry into removal of Karras during Central Teacher Eligibility Test
Amritsar News: Taking serious note of the incident in which Sikh candidates were forced to remove their Karras during the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has ordered an inquiry into the matter. He said that this reflects an anti-Sikh mindset, which cannot be accepted.
The incident came to light recently at an examination centre set up at Delhi Public School in village Bhokhra of District Bathinda, where Sikh candidates appearing for the teacher eligibility examination were reportedly asked to remove their Karras. Advocate Dhami said that Punjab is a region with a Sikh majority, where everyone is well aware that the Karra is an inseparable article of the Sikh faith. Despite this, forcing Sikh candidates to remove their Karras is highly unfortunate. He questioned under whose directions such actions are taking place on the sacred land of the Gurus, Punjab, and said this is a matter that requires thorough investigation. He further asked whether the Punjab government is endorsing such actions, adding that if this is the case, nothing could be more unfortunate.
The SGPC President said that after a serious investigation into this sensitive matter, a report will be submitted to Sri Akal Takht Sahib for further action. At present, an inquiry has been initiated. For this purpose, the duty has been assigned to Darshan Singh, Manager of Gurdwara Sri Hajiratan Sahib, Bathinda; Bhola Singh, in-charge of the Sub-Office Talwandi Sabo; and SGPC preachers. Appropriate action will be taken on the basis of the committee’s investigation report.
Advocate Dhami also appealed to the people of Punjab to register their protest against such acts at the spot itself. He urged that every anti-Sikh action should be challenged, and that it is the duty of every Sikh present at such places to put forth their viewpoint in the Sikh context and represent the community. He warned that if such acts continue to receive silent acceptance, the morale of anti-Sikh elements will further increase.
