Sikh religious authorities and the SGPC have refuted claims by an Indian Army official that air defence guns were deployed at the Golden Temple to counter aerial threats from Pakistan. The clarification comes after Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha’s statement sparked concerns, with Sikh leaders emphasizing no permission was granted and religious practices remained uninterrupted.
New Delhi: Sikh religious authorities and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have categorically denied claims that the Indian Army was permitted to deploy air defence guns at the Golden Temple in Amritsar to neutralize aerial threats from Pakistan. The clarification follows a statement by Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, who suggested such measures were taken earlier this month. Sikh clergy, including the additional head granthi Giani Amarjeet Singh and SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, have dismissed the claims, asserting that no coordination or deployment occurred, and the shrine’s sanctity was upheld.
No Permission Granted for Deployment
Giani Amarjeet Singh, in a statement issued by the SGPC, clarified that no permission was given for the deployment of air defence guns at Sri Harmandir Sahib. He noted that during a blackout mandated by the Amritsar district administration, the shrine’s management cooperated by switching off exterior and upper lights, but areas governed by religious protocols remained illuminated. “Daily religious practices, including Akhand Path Sahib and Langar Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, continued without disruption,” he said. Singh questioned the basis of D’Cunha’s claims, urging the officer to provide clarity on his statement.
SGPC Rejects Coordination Claims
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami echoed the clergy’s stance, stating that the administration only requested cooperation with blackout protocols, and no Army official approached the SGPC regarding gun deployment. “If such an event had occurred, devotees at the shrine would have noticed and reported it,” Dhami said. He called on the Indian government to explain why such statements were made, highlighting the sensitivity of the Golden Temple as a global Sikh spiritual center. Dhami emphasized that the SGPC’s cooperation was limited to blackout compliance after consultation with religious authorities.
Army’s Claims Raise Concerns
Lieutenant General D’Cunha’s interview with a news agency, released on Monday, claimed that the Golden Temple’s hierarchy permitted gun deployment to counter drone-based threats from Pakistan. The Indian Army further stated it had mobilized modern air defence assets to protect critical sites, including the Golden Temple. However, Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, who was abroad during the alleged incident, expressed surprise at the claims, stating no Army official contacted him. Analysts suggest the Army’s statement may stem from heightened security concerns along the Punjab border, where Pakistan has reportedly used drones for smuggling and reconnaissance. A 2024 report by the Border Security Force noted over 1,000 drone incursions in Punjab since 2023, prompting enhanced air defence measures.
The denial by Sikh clergy and the SGPC underscores the need for transparency from the Indian Army regarding its claims of gun deployment at the Golden Temple. The controversy highlights the delicate balance between national security and respecting religious sanctity, with Sikh leaders urging the government to clarify the officer’s remarks to prevent misinformation and preserve communal harmony.
