Amritsar, February 9 – Taking strong notice of the removal of Kara from Sikh candidates during the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident, terming it a reflection of an anti-Sikh mindset.
The issue came to light at an examination center set up at a private school in a village near Bathinda, where Sikh candidates were allegedly asked to remove their Kara before appearing for the teacher eligibility examination. Advocate Dhami stated that such an act is unacceptable, especially in Punjab, a region with a Sikh-majority population where the Kara is universally recognized as an inseparable article of Sikh faith.
He questioned under whose directions such actions were being carried out on the sacred land of the Gurus and whether there was any approval from the state authorities. He added that if such incidents are being allowed, it is deeply distressing and calls for serious accountability.
Advocate Dhami further stated that the matter would be examined thoroughly and brought to the notice of Sri Akal Takht Sahib for appropriate action. For the investigation, a committee comprising local gurdwara officials and Sikh representatives has been assigned the responsibility of fact-finding. Action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry report.
Appealing to the people of Punjab, the SGPC President urged citizens to register strong protests against such incidents at the spot. He emphasized that challenging any form of discrimination against Sikh identity is the collective responsibility of the Sikh community, warning that silence or passive acceptance could embolden anti-Sikh elements further.
