Amritsar | May 21, 2025

In a stunning turn that has sent ripples through Sikh communities worldwide, the Indian Army has come under fire for spreading what Sikh leaders have called “deliberate misinformation” regarding the deployment of air defence guns at Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), allegedly in response to a Pakistani missile threat. The claim has now been discredited, with Sikh institutions outright rejecting the narrative and accusing the Indian military of using sacred Sikh sites in political propaganda.

During a recent televised interview, Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha of the Indian Army alleged that air defence weapons were temporarily stationed at Sri Harmandar Sahib amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions. He further claimed that permission for this was granted by Sikh religious authorities. However, this statement was met with strong backlash from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and senior Sikh clergy, who called the claims completely false.

No Missile Threat from Pakistan, Say Sikh Leaders

The Indian Army’s assertion that Pakistan had launched or attempted to launch missiles targeting Darbar Sahib was also denounced as false and historically unfounded. Sikh leaders have emphasized that Pakistan has never attacked Sri Harmandar Sahib, not even during the 1965 and 1971 wars, despite strained India-Pakistan relations at the time.

“This claim is not only incorrect but highly irresponsible,” said SGPC Member. “Pakistan has never targeted a single Sikh gurdwara. In contrast, it is the Indian state that has attacked Sri Harmandar Sahib—most notably in 1984, when tanks rolled into the complex and the Akal Takht was destroyed during Operation Blue Star.”

Sikh scholars and political observers have also pointed out that relations between Pakistan and the global Sikh community have greatly improved in recent years. The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, preservation of Sikh heritage sites, and gestures of goodwill from the Pakistani government have solidified positive bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Sikhs across the world.

“In fact,” one senior SGPC functionary noted, “during the recent four-day conflict between India and Pakistan, there was a clear lack of Sikh support for India’s military position. Several Sikh leaders even called for neutrality or support toward Pakistan, given the historical wounds inflicted by the Indian state on Sikhs.”

Global Sikh Outrage Forces Retraction

The backlash from Sikh organizations—both in India and the diaspora—was swift and severe. Following intense public pressure and questions from the media, the Indian Army walked back the original statement, removing related remarks from official channels and refusing further comment.

Giani Amarjeet Singh, Additional Head Granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib, called the Army’s claims “shocking and fabricated.” He confirmed that the temple management only cooperated with city-wide blackout orders and that no permission was ever given for military equipment to be placed within the premises.

Even Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, who was on an international tour during the period in question, stated emphatically that no discussion of gun deployment ever took place with him or his office.

A History of Misinformation and Disrespect

This incident is not viewed in isolation by Sikh institutions but as part of a larger pattern of marginalization and misinformation. From the 1984 military invasion to more recent political appropriation of Sikh imagery, many within the community see the Army’s false claims as a continuation of disrespect toward Sikh sovereignty and sacred spaces.

“The Indian Army’s own record includes multiple incursions and violent actions against Sikh places of worship,” said a statement from a UK-based Sikh advocacy group. “To now accuse Pakistan—a country that has facilitated Sikh pilgrimages and heritage restoration—of such a baseless act is both ironic and damaging.”

Call for Accountability

Sikh leaders have now demanded a formal apology from the Government of India and a public clarification from the Indian Army. They have also urged media outlets to exercise caution and integrity when reporting on religious matters.

“This kind of rhetoric puts not just our shrines, but our global community’s trust at risk,” said Advocate Dhami. “It must stop.”

As tensions ease and facts come to light, this episode stands as a cautionary tale of how misinformation, when issued by state institutions, can deeply offend communities and erode trust—especially when sacred heritage is involved.