Gurdwara premises must not be used for protests: RS MP Vikramjit Sahney

New Delhi: Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, on Sunday strongly condemned the use of Delhi's Gurdwara Bangla Sahib for protests, saying that religious premises must remain dedicated to worship, seva and spiritual reflection rather than political demonstrations.

Sahney emphasised that gurdwaras have a long-standing tradition of welcoming everyone with langar and shelter, irrespective of their background or cause.

However, he cautioned that this spirit of compassion and hospitality should not be misused to turn sacred spaces into venues for protests.

Clarifying the sequence of events, the Rajya Sabha MP said that Delhi Police personnel had passed through the designated passage leading up to the footwear area at around 11 a.m. and had not entered the main Gurdwara complex on Saturday.

The protesters assembled at around 1 p.m on Saturday.

Sahney expressed concern that slogans were raised and placards displayed within the gurdwara premises despite requests from gurdwara volunteers to refrain from such activities.

He reiterated that peaceful visitors seeking langar or shelter have always been welcomed, in keeping with Sikh principles of service and humanity.

Sahney stressed the need to maintain a clear distinction between extending humanitarian assistance to protesters and allowing a place of worship to become a site for demonstrations.

"Our gurdwaras stand for seva, compassion and universal brotherhood. Let us preserve their sanctity and not allow such incidents to spread hatred or create divisions in society," he said.

Meanwhile, Sahney thanked famed singer Diljit Dosanjh and the organisers for considering his appeal to reschedule his Delhi concert scheduled for November 1.

"I sincerely thank Diljit Dosanjh for graciously accepting my request. He is a true son of Punjab, a proud turbaned global icon, and an inspiration to millions. His sensitivity towards the pain of the victims and their families reflects the compassion and responsibility that come with his stature," he said.

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