Punjab CM warns Damdami Taksal over threats to Sikh preacher

Chandigarh, May 24 (AZINS) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday warned Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal over alleged threats issued to Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale.

"Taking a serious note, the Chief Minister has asked the Damdami Taksal not to step out of their limits, and warned that he would treat such intimidatory acts as a threat to the state's peace and harmony and those found guilty will face stern action," a Spokesman for the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister, who took suo motu notice of the threats, also ordered the Punjab Police to increase the security of the Sikh preacher.

"He made it clear that he will not tolerate misuse of religion to spread terror or score personal brownie points, the Chief Minister warned the Damdami Taksal that if they did not put an immediate stop to such activities, he will take it as an act of hostility and respond accordingly," the Spokesman added.

He ordered a thorough examination of an inciting video, which went viral on May 20, showing Damdami Taksal Spokesperson Charanjit Singh Jassowal issuing a death threat to Dhadiranwale.

Dhadrianwale, 36, a Patiala-based Sikh preacher, was attacked by 30-40 armed persons in May 2016 when he was travelling with some supporters in his SUV near Ludhiana.

Dhadrianwale's close aide Bhupinder Singh died of a gunshot in the attack.

The Chief Minister said that he was in favour of full freedom to religious organisations to propagate and uphold their religious tenets, but won't allow them to indulge in acts with potential to disturb peace and amity in Punjab.

"Inflammatory speeches and hate crime have no place in Punjab, which has suffered enough due to terrorism," Amarinder Singh said, adding that he had already ordered police to intensify crackdown on religious hatemongers.