SGPC opposes ballistic helmets for Sikh soldiers

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has vehemently opposed the proposal to introduce ballistic helmets for Sikh troops in the nation, citing that no interference with Sikh identity should be tolerated.

While at a meeting with National Commission for Minorities chairman, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, on Friday, the committee officials strongly opposed the introduction of helmets for Sikh soldiers. The delegation iterated that helmets for the Sikh troops would not be accepted as no interference in the matter of Sikh identity will be tolerated, according to media reports.

The delegation from the apex religious body of the Sikh community, which included general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, deputy secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi, and member Raghbir Singh Saharan Majra, cited that there can be no point of discussion in the issue, posing a strong objection to the proposal, media reports added.

“The commission had sent a letter to Akal Takht Sahib to send its representatives, following which Takht Sahib deputed us for this task. We did not expect that it was a big meeting and many other personalities, most of whom are pro-BJP, were also invited for it. After we presented our version, we were asked to take part in the discussion over the issue,” stated SGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal.

“But discussion could not be held because it is maryada (code of conduct)-related issue, which cannot be altered at any cost. So, after handing over our written version, we opted to leave the meeting that lasted for two hours,” Grewal added, with media reports suggesting that the SGPC delegation staged a walkout at the meeting on Friday.