Amritsar : The Army said Tuesday that during Operation Sindoor, no air defense cannons or other air defense equipment were stationed on the grounds of the Golden Temple.The claim comes after allegations that the Golden Temple management had permitted the Army to station air defense weaponry within the complex to counter potential Pakistani drone and missile threats.
An Army statement confirmed that no AD guns or other AD resources were deployed within the precincts of Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar (Golden Temple), despite several media reports claiming that AD (air defense) cannons had been deployed there.
According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the shrine’s extra head priest and the highest Sikh religious authority, the Indian Army was not authorized to install any air defense weapons, denying the reports before.
Amritsar : SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated
Harjinder Singh Dhami, the president of the SGPC, added that they fully cooperated in the interest of administrative responsibility while upholding the sanctity of the ongoing “maryada” (conduct), even though the administration only contacted them regarding turning off the lights during the blackout that followed the recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan.
Amritsar : Mr Dhami stated
Mr Dhami stated that there has been no communication from any Army official regarding the installation of air defense cannons at Sri Harmandar Sahib.
Harmandar Sahib’s Head Granthi, Giani Raghbir Singh, also underlined that no gun deployment was discussed with him during Operation Sindoor, even though he was traveling abroad, and that the Golden Temple was not the scene of any such incident.
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Giani Amarjeet Singh, the Golden Temple’s additional head priest, stated that the Army was not granted permission to place air defense cannons within the shrine to counter potential Pakistani drone and missile threats. Mr Singh categorically denied this claim.
He claimed that no approval had ever been granted to put weapons.
He explained that by turning down the complex’s exterior and upper lights within the allotted time, Harmandar Sahib’s management had complied with the district administration’s directives about the citywide blackout.
However, lights at areas where the religious code of conduct is observed were kept on, and the sanctity of the religious site was upheld with full responsibility, he stated.
Mr Singh stated that everyday religious ceremonies at Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Guru Ramdas Ji’s Langar, Sri Akhand Path Sahib locations, and other connected gurdwaras follow precise protocols, and no one has the authority to interfere with them.
“The entire religious code of conduct continued at Harmandar Sahib with dedication and discipline despite the tense situation in recent days,” he remarked.
Mr Singh further stated that no lights were turned off at any holy place where’maryada’ was observed, including during the blackout.
According to SGPC chief Dhami, only the exterior lights were switched off after consulting with Mr Singh, in accordance with district administration norms.
He stated that even during the darkness, a huge number of devotees continued to arrive and perform’sewa’ (volunteer service), and that if there had been any such occurrence as gun deployment, the Sangat (congregation) would have observed and witnessed it.
Mr. Dhami emphasized that “spreading such falsehoods about the central religious place of Sikhs days after the events is shockingly untrue” before acknowledging the admirable role the Army and the nation played under the stressful circumstances.
He also asked the government to clarify things.
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