- Wednesday, May 21, 2025
After the escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, the temple administration had switched off lights during the blackouts
By: India Weekly
THE GOLDEN TEMPLE authorities in Amritsar have refuted reports that the Indian army was allowed to deploy air defence guns on its premises during Operation Sindoor.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president, Harjinder Singh Dhami, said the administration contacted them only about switching off the lights during the blackout, after the escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan.
They were referring to reports in a section of media that the temple management had allowed the army to deploy the air defence guns within the shrine.
There was no immediate comment from the army.
Dhami said the army never approached them about the installation of air defence guns at Sri Harmandar Sahib.
Harmandar Sahib’s Head Granthi, Giani Raghbir Singh, also clarified that although he was on a foreign visit during the Operation Sindoor, there was no communication with him regarding any gun deployment.
He clarified that the management had cooperated with the district administration’s guidelines regarding the city-wide blackout.
Singh reiterated that the daily religious practices at Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), the Langar of Guru Ramdas Ji, places of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, and other related gurdwaras were conducted according to strict protocols.
Singh also made it clear that no lights were turned off at any religious site where ‘maryada’ was being observed, even during the blackout.
SGPC chief Dhami said that based on consultation with Singh, only the outer lights were turned off following the district administration’s guidelines.
Dhami acknowledged the commendable role played by the army and the country during the tense circumstances, but emphasized that “spreading such falsehoods about the central religious place of Sikhs days after the events is shockingly untrue”.
He also demanded a clarification from the government.
