The SGPC President expressed strong objection to such phenomenon and said that India is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country.
Taking notice of the Union Ministry of Culture removing a post from its social media platforms regarding Bandi Chhor Diwas, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has termed it as biased.
In a statement issued from the SGPC office, Harjinder Singh Dhami said that it is extremely sad and unfortunate that the country's ministry removed a post depicting the history of Sikhs after posting it.
It is noteworthy that a post regarding Bandi Chhor Diwas was posted on the social media of the Union Ministry of Culture, which mentioned the day’s history and tradition. A video regarding Bandi Chhor Diwas was also posted with this post, but it was removed after some time following hateful and objectionable campaign by the right-wing supportive social media handles.
The SGPC President expressed strong objection to such phenomenon and said that India is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, where the respect for the history and beliefs of people of all religions should be protected. Harjinder Singh Dhami said that if the Indian government adopts such a discriminatory attitude, then how will the rights of people of all religions living in the country be upheld.
He said that it is unfortunate that this post dedicated to Sikhs by the Central Government has been removed due to hateful propaganda spread under an agenda by right-wing people spreading hatred against Sikhs, their principles and uniqueness on social media, and especially on the post of the Union Culture Ministry.
He said that the SGPC has already expressed this objection many times that the anti-Sikh agenda is being promoted from many social media accounts/handles, another example of which has come to light after the post by the Union Culture Ministry was opposed by these people spreading hate propaganda.
The SGPC President said that the uniqueness of Sikhs is that they celebrate festivals in a unique way in the light of their history, but this characteristic of Sikhs is not being digested by people who have hatred towards minorities. He said that the Centre Government also removing the post that paid respect to the Sikh Gurus by following the hate-spreading social media users raises questions.
He said that it is the duty of the governments to stop such people, but it is unfortunate that the government itself is taking decisions under their influence. Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sikh community respects the festivals of every religion, but it is also not acceptable that anyone hurts the unique and distinct identity of the Sikhs.
