Don't try to create panic: Akal Takht Jathedar to Punjab govt

Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Friday during a special gathering at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, announced a new platform to track and bust 'anti-Sikh' content being circulated online.

The Jathedar called a special gathering at Takht Damdama Sahib on Friday to discuss the role of Sikh and Punjabi journalism, Sikh media contribution, and challenges the state is facing at present.

The gathering comes at a time when concerns about the rise of secessionist forces in the border state are being expressed, especially in the wake of a major law and order breach in Ajnala Police Station attack led by radical preacher Amritpal Singh, who has been declared a fugitive by police.

While addressing a special gathering, Singh lamented the Punjab government and national media for wrongly covering them. ''National media covering this event is running news that Amritpal will be arrested today in the event,'' he said.

Singh also said that tyros and budding journalists will be roped in for the forthcoming project aimed at curtailing hateful content against the community.

''To track anti-Sikh or anti-Punjabi phobia, we will constitute a strong group to keep tab on news running against us in a bid to defame our community. We want to tell Punjab government to stop this panic created by removing huge force from here as due to which devotee are turning up here. This is not only defaming Punjab or Punjabis but the party ruling in the state. Now government is creating panic that on Baisakhi day, Amritpal will come here,'' Singh was quoted as saying by Tribune.

Apparently referring to certain media reports, the Jathedar said, "earlier they said Amritpal Singh will surrender here. Now they will start saying that he will surrender on Baisakhi day, and an attempt will be made to create panic in his name. The government should avoid it."

The Jathedar said when such a situation is created, it does not affect only the image of Punjabis and Punjab, but also the government which is ruling Punjab. "At least save your image." The Jathedar said leaves of police staff in Punjab have been cancelled and they have been asked to be present for duty. "All of them have been sent to Damdama Sahib. What will happen here?" he said.

Punjab Police has cancelled leaves of all its staff till April 14, said sources on Friday. Baisakhi, one of Punjab's biggest festivals in north India, marks the foundation day of the 'Khalsa Panth' (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. It also marks the onset of harvest season.

On the day of the festival, people across Punjab offer prayers at gurdwaras. Security has been stepped up in Talwani Sabo in Bathinda ahead of Baisakhi.