The Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (APGC) have claimed that 96 gurdwaras in the United States have resolved to ban the entry of Indian officials. The ban will apply to nagar kirtans, or religious processions, as well. This is believed that Khalistani elements are behind the decision.
The move comes days after 14 gurdwaras in Ontario, Canada, banned the entry of Indian diplomatic officials. The UK-based Sikh Federation has also proposed a similar ban. They, however, later clarified that Indian officials could visit the gurdwaras in their personal capacity.
SCCEC and AGPC claim themselves to be the largest umbrella organisations of Sikh gurdwaras in the US. The announcement has been made with support of US-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). “We will also initiate legal proceedings against those Indian diplomats who will try to defy this ban,” said SFJ legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
“Indian government officials and any person/s representing the interests of the Indian government, shall not be allowed to enter the US gurdwaras or to participate in any religious programmes,” the resolution reads.
The resolution read out by Himmat Singh, coordinator of SCCEC, before a Sikh gathering at a gurdwara in Richmond Hill, New York, on Saturday said they hold the Indian government responsible for the June 1984 military invasion of Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) and 40 other gurdwaras, among other things.
Earlier, The reported ban imposed by Sikh gurdwara committees in Canada on entry of Indian government officials in gurdwaras operated by them found its echo in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu raised the issue during the Zero Hour drawing government’s attention to the development in Canada.
The gurdwara committees have collectively barred entry of Indian authorities, including diplomats, in the religious premises controlled by them.
“Khalistani elements are behind the decision,” he said, and added that these elements are maligning the image of the entire Sikh community which will not be tolerated.
He cautioned the gurdwara committees concerned that by indulging in such uncalled for acts, they will forfeit the chance of any help from India.
“Government of India and state government of Punjab will not tolerate this,” he said.
A group of 14 gurdwara management committees in Canada reportedly barred entry of officials representing India, its diplomats and others in the religious premises at a meeting of their functionaries held in Ontario province on December 30.
