Ropar, September 27
Following Sikh religious bodies’ ire, the Ropar police today registered a case against the Principal of Shivalik Public School who had banned Sikh students from wearing “kirpan” and “kara”. Besides, Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti sought explanation from the school Principal on the matter in the evening.
A case of hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community was registered against the Principal in the evening after the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, who is also the Chairman of the school, directed the SSP to register a case.
The issue was discussed at length at a meeting held at Akal Takht in Amritsar when the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgrah Sahib, Mr Tarlochan Singh, highlighted the matter. Mr Tarlochan Singh told The Tribune from Amritsar that all the five Jathedars of different Takhts took serious note of the order passed by the Principal, Ms Gurpreet Mathur.
The SSP, Mr Surinder Pal Singh, confirmed to The Tribune that a case for hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community under Section 153-A of the IPC had been registered against Ms Gurpreet Mathur, on the recommendations of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr H.I.S. Garewal. The inquiry had been handed over to the DSP, Anandpur Sahib.
Meanwhile, Ms Mathur today issued a circular stating that the order had been amended accordingly by adding that except for Amritdhari Sikhs, nobody else was allowed to carry heavy kara and kirpan. She further said: “I apologise if anybody’s religious sentiments were hurt due to the earlier circular.”
