AMRITSAR: Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has strongly condemned the incident in which Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar was allegedly driven to commit suicide due to caste-based discrimination. The Jathedar said that the supreme Sikh authority, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, stands firmly against casteism and any form of discrimination.
He stated that this tragic incident is a glaring reflection of the centuries-old caste-based bias still prevailing in India, and it deserves the strongest condemnation. Despite the constitutional guarantee of equal rights to all communities, many people continue to face discrimination, he said, emphasizing that there is an urgent need to transform societal mindsets.
The Jathedar underlined that, according to the Sikh Gurus’ philosophy, all humanity is equal, and it is deeply concerning that caste-based prejudices still surface even in the present age.
Jathedar Gargajj said that Punjab, being the land of the Sikh Gurus, continues to uphold their teachings, which have greatly reduced caste-based divisions compared to other parts of India. The Sikh Gurus traversed this land and imbued it with the spirit of Sikh faith, spreading a message of universal brotherhood.
Jathedar Gargajj stressed that this is a deeply sensitive social issue, and every section of society must raise its voice against it. He said Punjab should continue to serve as an example for the rest of the country by spreading the Sikh philosophy of equality across India.
He reiterated that Sri Akal Takht Sahib stands unequivocally against all forms of caste-based discrimination, and the Sikh community will continue to oppose any such oppression and injustice with full determination.