Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday expressed concern over the rise in Christianity in Punjab and said it is causing a lot of difficulties for Sikhs.
He also asserted that every Sikh should learn the use of modern weapons.
Giani Harpreet Singh was speaking during his customary address to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht’s podium to mark the 38th anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’.
“Sikhs are facing a lot of difficulties that are making us weak religiously, socially & economically. Christianity is being spread across villages of Punjab to weaken us,” he said.
He further said, “I appeal to all Sikhs, especially those in border areas to spread & strengthen Sikhism. If we’re not strong religiously, we won’t be strong socially & economically which will lead to our political weakening.”
Expressing concern over the massive build-up of security in the city ahead of the anniversary of Operation Bluestar, the Akal Takht Jathedar said the Sikhs don’t need security.
“We should focus on setting up shooting ranges to get training in weapons. The others are getting training in weapons illegally,” said the Jathedar, amidst pro-Khalistan slogans.
Thousands of devotees early in the morning thronged the Akal Takht – the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion – to attend the ‘bhog’ ceremony of religious prayers that began on June 4.
The prayers were to mark the anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’ that was carried out in June 1984 by the Army to flush out heavily-armed terrorists from inside the Golden Temple complex.
