Giani Harpreet Singh, chief priest of the Akal Takht — the highest Sikh temporal seat — on Monday asserted that every Sikh should make efforts to keep “modern weapons because circumstances are such”, stoking controversy and inviting sharp criticism from political parties.
In a video message on the Guruship Day of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru, Giani Harpreet Singh said “...Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib preached that every Sikh should become strong by reading Gurbani and at the same time should also be armed and learn the art of horse riding and using weapons. His preaching is still relevant today. It’s necessary even today, especially for the Sikh boys and girls to follow the orders of Guru Hargobind Singh and learn the art of using weapons be it — gatkabaji [a style of fighting with wooden sticks], talwarbazi [fencing], shooting. Besides, every Sikh should make an effort to keep a licensed ‘modern weapon’, legally...because the time and circumstances are such...”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said Giani Harpreet Singh should spread a message of peace, harmony and brotherhood in society rather than asking Sikhs to keep licensed modern weapons.
