Amritsar, Punjab (November 27, 2012): There are reports that Uttrakhand Governemnt has deployed heavy police force to prevent Sikhs from going to Haridwar.
According to a news report by Express News Service (ENS): “Sikhs heading to Haridwar for the three-day birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, beginning November 27, at a spot near Har ki Pauri […] may lead to a standoff with the Uttarakhand Police deploying forces in and around Haridwar to prevent any law and order problem”.
It is notable that there was a historic 450 years old Sikh Gurudwara at Haridwar. This Gurudwara Sahib was established in the memory of historic visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, first Sikh Guru to Haridwar, a centre of Hindu religion where Guru Sahib held a dialogue with Hindu Pandits. But this historic religious place of Sikhs was destroyed during Sikh Genocide in November 1984. All signs of Gurudwara named Gian Godri Sahib were erased afterwards with connivance of the State authorities including the Government.
As per reports All India Sikh Conference (AISF) president Gurcharan Singh Babbar, Sant Samaj leader Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal were scheduled to begin “Fateh Yatra’ after offering prayers at the Akal Takht on November 27, 2012. But as per ENS report the Uttarakhand Police had allegedly banned the entry of Sikhs in the state, particularly in Haridwar.
According to Gurcharan Singh Babbar Sikhs are being prevented from even entering Uttarakhand. Those Sikhs who live in Uttarakhand are being told not to enter Haridwar on November 27, 28 and 29.
Baba Baljeet Singh Daduwal is reportedly said that the Uttarakhand government was being “unjust by putting such restrictions on the movement of Sikhs”.
“As far as gurdwara is concerned, revenue record shows that the land is in the name of Gurdwara Gian Godhri Sahib. But the government is not handing over the land for the construction of gurdwara,” he reportedly added.