Agencies | Amritsar:
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised outside the Golden Temple on Monday during US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s visit to the Sikh shrine, with security personnel intervening to manage a brief demonstration.
According to reports, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) acting president Emaan Singh Mann and party workers raised slogans including “Khalistan Zindabad” and “God Bless America” near the main entrance of the shrine. Security personnel subsequently brought the gathering under control.
The demonstration came days after Amritsar Police detained two persons for allegedly writing separatist graffiti at different locations in the city ahead of Gor’s visit. Police said the suspects had allegedly written messages promoting separatism, while an associate was reported to be absconding.
Gor, meanwhile, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple as part of a 28-member US delegation and held discussions with senior Sikh religious leaders on issues concerning the community, including the Sikh principle of human equality and matters involving Sikhs in the United States.
He was welcomed at the shrine by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami and Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht.
Dhami said Gor told Sikh leaders that it was his second visit to the Golden Temple, having first visited the shrine with his parents around 15 years ago.
“He shared memories of his earlier visit. We welcomed him on behalf of the SGPC and also sat together and discussed some issues concerning Sikhs,” Dhami told reporters after the meeting.
Dhami also said the SGPC raised with the US delegation an earlier issue involving what it described as a hateful image concerning Sikhs in the United States. According to him, the committee had taken up the matter with US authorities, following which the image was removed.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said his discussions with Gor included the Sikh Gurus’ message of equality and the principle of equality reflected in the US Declaration of Independence.
“The message from Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib is one of human equality and universal brotherhood,” Gargajj said.
He also referred to historical links between the Sikh empire and the United States, noting that Americans had served in the forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The discussions further covered issues concerning Sikhs living in the United States, as Gor’s visit focused on engagement with Sikh religious representatives and the wider Sikh-American community.
