Recent statements by Indian Army officials regarding the deployment of air defence guns at the Golden Temple in Amritsar have been firmly refuted by Sikh religious authorities and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The SGPC and clergy assert that no such permission was granted, nor did any deployment occur within the sacred premises of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Army’s Claim and Religious Authorities’ Response
Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, suggested in a recent interview that air defence guns were positioned at the Golden Temple to counter potential aerial threats from Pakistan. He mentioned that the temple’s lights were turned off to aid in visualizing incoming drones.
Contradicting this claim, Giani Amarjeet Singh, Additional Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib, stated that while the temple management complied with blackout protocols by switching off exterior and upper lights, no permission was given for deploying any weaponry within the premises. He emphasized that religious practices continued uninterrupted and that the sanctity of the shrine was maintained.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami also denied any coordination with the Army regarding gun deployment. He clarified that the administration only requested cooperation for blackout measures and that no Army official approached the SGPC for any other purpose.
Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, who was abroad during the alleged deployment, confirmed that he was not contacted by the Army and that no such event took place at Sri Darbar Sahib. He described the Army officer’s statement as surprising and untrue.
The SGPC and Sikh clergy have expressed concern over the dissemination of such claims, urging the Indian government to clarify the matter. They stress the importance of preserving the sanctity of religious sites and ensuring that any security measures respect religious sentiments and protocols.
