Helmets For Sikh Soldiers: Akal Takht, SGPC Object To Army’s Proposal

Akal Takht and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday protested in opposition to the Indian Army’s thought to buy helmets for Sikh infantrymen and requested the Central authorities to withdraw the selection.

Reacting to current reviews that the navy has issued a request for an emergency buy of round 13,000 helmets for Sikh troops, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, in a video message, stated the turban is a image of our identity, whilst SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has written a letter to Union defence minister Rajnath Singh.

“I actually have come via media that the authorities of India is making an attempt to introduce a carrying of helmet for Sikh infantrymen. Such efforts had been made with the aid of using the British authorities in the course of World War 2, however the Sikhs rejected the concept then. The turban isn’t only a cloth, it’s far a crown which has been located at the heads of Sikhs with the aid of using Guru Sahib, and it’s far a image of our identity. Any try and region a helmet over it’ll be an try to complete our identity, and the panth will by no means tolerate it,” Giani Harpreet stated withinside the video message.

“At the time of World War 2, the Sikh infantrymen fought valiantly. Similarly, in next wars in 1965, 1962 and 1971, Sikh infantrymen fought carrying turbans. The navy and the Indian authorities must rethink this issue,” jathedar added. Similarly, the SGPC president, in his letter to the defence minister, has requested for the withdrawal of this selection.

In the letter, Dhami stated that the selection to introduce a unique helmet for Sikhs serving withinside the Indian Army is an assault on Sikh Maryada (code of conduct). “The dedication of Sikhs to the turban displays their satisfaction and adherence to the Guru’s command,” Dhami stated withinside the letter.

Sikh pupil and researcher Satinder Singh stated, “Government of India need to appreciate the non secular sentiments of Sikhs. In future, they could usually seek advice from Akal Takhat and SGPC on any rule amendments affecting Sikhs.”