Tarn Taran – Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, former MLA from the Khadoor Sahib constituency, and Chairman of the Punjab Rural Development Society, has formally addressed Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, pressing for immediate intervention regarding the mistreatment of an Amritdhari Sikh, Dalwinder Singh, along with the grave sacrilege of Sikh Kakaars (articles of faith) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.In his letter to the Jathedar, Brahmpura stated, “The incident involving Dalwinder Singh, who was arrested for carrying the Sri Sahib (Kirpan), had his Dastar (turban) and other Kakaars forcibly removed, and was subjected to inhumane treatment, is utterly condemnable. This situation has inflicted deep hurt on Sikh sentiments and poses a direct assault on the religious freedom of Sikhs.”
He went on to detail the distressing circumstances surrounding the case, noting that the affected individual was detained for approximately 20 days under inhumane conditions, faced significant mental harassment, and was deported to India without his Dastar—an unbearable affront. “It is essential to conduct a thorough investigation to understand how this incident occurred and to implement strategies that prevent such occurrences in the future,” Brahmpura emphasized.
Brahmpura further highlighted, “The Dastar and Panj Kakaar (five articles of faith) are integral to the honor and dignity of a Sikh. The recurrence of such incidents abroad is extremely alarming, mandating urgent and concrete actions at the community level to uphold the significance and respect for Sikh Kakaars on a global scale.”
Brahmpura urged Singh Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to formally condemn this incident. He called on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other key Sikh organizations to elevate this matter with the Governments of India and the UAE, advocating for concrete preventive measures. He has also requested that the Indian government develop a permanent diplomatic policy to safeguard the religious rights and Kakaars of Sikhs internationally. Additionally, he urged Panthic organizations to undertake deliberate actions to reinforce the importance and respect of Kakaars globally, ensuring all possible support for Dalwinder Singh and his family from the Sikh community.
Brahmpura expressed hope that Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the supreme temporal authority of the Sikhs, will take prompt and decisive action on this critical issue and guide the community so that respect for Sikh religious symbols is maintained worldwide. He asserted that the Shiromani Akali Dal will continue to be a vocal advocate for this cause.