Amritsar: The officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, has said that the shastars (arms) bestowed upon the Sikhs by the Gurus were symbols of justice and self-defence, not instruments of aggression, stressing that Sikh teachings strictly prohibited the misuse of weapons.Addressing the 27th Bala Pritam Gurmat Samagam at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Garib Niwaz in Hayes, London, Gargaj said Sikhs had always remained within the discipline and code of conduct laid down by the Gurus. “A Sikh’s weapon is for defending the weak and resisting injustice, never for committing oppression,” he said while alluding to a recent incident in the United Kingdom.The religious congregation, dedicated to the Parkash Gurpurab of Guru Harikrishan Sahib, was jointly organised by the Afghan Sikh Sangat; Nihkami Sewa Trust, UK; Guru Hargobind Sahib Trust, UK; and Gurdwara Guru Nanak Garib Niwaz. The event was attended by a large number of devotees.Giani Gargaj urged Sikhs living abroad to remain loyal citizens of the countries in which they reside, contribute positively to society and strictly abide by local laws. He said Sikhs had historically stood against tyranny and injustice but had never been perpetrators of injustice.He also appealed to the Sikh community to preserve its distinct identity by ensuring that children carry the names “Singh” and “Kaur”, describing these as the common heritage bestowed by Guru Gobind Singh.Expressing concern over the increasing use of caste-based surnames, he urged parents to encourage Sikh values at home.The jathedar also advised parents in the UK to remain vigilant about their children’s upbringing and maintain strong links with gurdwaras and Sikh teachings.Referring to reports of Sikh girls allegedly being lured away, he stressed the importance of open communication within families and adherence to Sikh rehat maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct).Gargaj said that the Akal Takht remains the supreme temporal authority of the Sikh community and urged Sikhs across the world to stay firmly connected with it.
