“Videos from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, had surfaced on social media, showing some Himachal Police officials removing the image of Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale from the Nishan Sahib (triangular-shaped Sikh holy flag) and disrespecting both the sacred flag and the image,” said Damdami Taksal in a statement.

Harnam Singh Khalsa, the current chief of Damdami Taksal, said Bhindranwale was the 14th chief of Damdami Taksal and that his image is enshrined at the Golden Temple. Gurdwara Yaadgaar Shaheeda stands as a memorial in his honour, he said.

“The entire Sikh community holds deep reverence for Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, and such acts of removing or desecrating his images only expose the narrow-mindedness of those responsible. I warn the Himachal government and the miscreants, demanding an immediate end to such disrespectful acts. If these actions continue, there could be serious consequences in the future,” he added.

Talking to The Indian Express, BJP spokesperson Sarchand Singh said no one should object to the pictures of Bhindranwale, who was head of Damdami Taksal during the Army action inside the Golden Temple in 1984.

“I am not able to understand why the Congress and BJP leaders in Himachal don’t understand the sentiments of the Sikh community about Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Many Congress and BJP leaders in Punjab understand this sentiment,” he said, adding that Punjab BJP leaders openly opposed the alleged wrong depiction of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the Kangana Ranaut-starrer movie Emergency.

“The BJP and Congress leaders in Himachal Pradesh should understand that Sikh sentiments are not against any community. We respect Sant ji and it is our right. But not only pictures of Sant ji but also Sikh flags have been targeted in Himachal Pradesh. Sikhs have all the rights to visit their gurdwaras in Himachal Pradesh,” said Sarchand Singh.

“I often talk about Sant ji in the media and TV channels as BJP spokesperson. The BJP never stopped me from doing so. The Central leadership understands the Sikh sentiments but I don’t know what the issue with Himachal leaders. Such elements are the main obstacles in the BJP’s attempt to win the hearts of the Sikh community,” he said.

SGPC joins chorus

Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the “anti-Sikh” activities taking place in Himachal Pradesh and called upon the state government to take action against communal elements.

In a press statement from the SGPC office, Dhami mentioned that Sikh devotees frequently travel across various parts of the country to visit sacred gurdwaras. However, he expressed concern that some are targeting Sikhs in Himachal Pradesh.

He said, “These people are forcibly removing the Nishan Sahib, as well as images and flags of community’s martyr Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale and other Sikh leaders from the vehicles of Sikh pilgrims. This is creating an atmosphere of fear among Sikh pilgrims. Such incidents are not in the national interest. It must never be forgotten that the existence of a multi-religious and multi-cultural society in the country today is due to the sacrifices made by Sikhs for the nation.”

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) former president Sukhbir Singh Badal said he was “deeply pained” by the alleged attacks on Sikh pilgrims in Himachal Pradesh. “Not only are Sikhs being targeted under a sustained hate campaign with political overtones but our symbols of pride are also being disrespected. All this has vitiated the atmosphere and created tension between Punjabis and the people of Himachal. The HP govt needs to step in and ensure such incidents do not occur again,” he said in a post on X.

Deeply pained by the recent incidents of attacks on Sikh pilgrims in Himachal Pradesh. Not only are Sikhs being targeted under a sustained hate campaign with political overtones but our symbols of pride are also being disrespected. All this has vitiated the atmosphere & created…

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) March 19, 2025

He added, “The Khalsa Nishan Sahib symbolises our faith as well as our patriotic pride and the unparalleled sacrifices made by the brave Khalsa Panth to uphold our national glory. I appeal to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take action against those responsible for attacking Sikhs in HP and disrespecting their symbols of pride. I also appeal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold a meeting with chief ministers of hill states to ensure such incidents are brought to a stop immediately.”

The Himachal government Wednesday indefinitely suspended bus services on specific routes to Hoshiarpur district in Punjab due to reports of attacks on Himachal buses in Punjab following the Bhindranwale flag controversy .