While Pakistani drones and missiles targeted the Golden Temple, the Indian Army shielded the sacred site. But within a day of the Indian Army revealing NaPak’s strategy, the SGPC presents an upfront denial. Not only do they rebut the attack, they also refuse to acknowledge any very cooperation that may have saved it. Why does the SGPC want to whitewash Pakistan’s attack on the Golden Temple? Why are the Granthis disowning India’s defence of Sikh heritage?
A Sacred Site, A Shadow War: Golden Temple in the Crossfire
As tensions flared between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, NaPak Army began attacking India’s civil infrastructure. Even the holiest Sikh shrines – the Golden Temple – found itself under attack. However, recently, it is at the heart of a very different kind of battle: a war of narratives.
Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D’Cunha of the Indian Army stated that air defence guns were deployed within the Golden Temple complex to protect it from incoming Pakistani drone and missile strikes.
He praised the shrine’s management for its unprecedented cooperation. Moreover, he stated that the Golden Temple lights were switched off for better visibility during the blackout.
Meanwhile, the SGPC – custodians of the Golden Temple – categorically denied any such military deployment. According to them, only external lights were switched off, no permission was ever granted for any gun placement, and religious protocol remained untouched.
So, who’s telling the truth about the Golden Temple? And more importantly — why has SGPC suddenly changed its tune?
Claims vs. Clarity: Unpacking the Contradictions
Lt Gen D’Cunha in an ANI podcast was very clear. The cooperation from the Golden Temple staff was appreciated by the Indian Army. Guns were deployed only after explaining the threat posed by Pakistani drones. Army officers noted how switching off the lights helped the air defence units intercept aerial threats.
Most crucially, he claimed that the Head Granthi himself gave the nod for this defensive measure.
Contrast that with SGPC’s latest statement. They now insist the Army’s claim is “shockingly untrue.” Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, Additional Granthi Giani Amarjeet Singh, and SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami have all disavowed any knowledge of Army deployment. They argue that the Army never contacted them directly and such a major event would have certainly been noticed by the visiting sangat.
Yet, here lies the paradox – devotees visiting en masse were recording the blackout?
Not a single Pakistani drone or missile succeeded in hitting the Golden Temple, thanks to India’s Air Defence. If the Army hadn’t taken preemptive action, can SGPC guarantee that the shrine wouldn’t have been harmed?
Golden Temple and The SGPC – A Curious Case of Selective Memory
The SGPC, which represents only a fraction of the global Sikh community, seems oddly eager to reject the Indian Army’s role while downplaying Pakistan’s assault. This is the same SGPC that frequently speaks out on Sikh sentiments worldwide. However, it refuses to acknowledge the Indian Army that prevented missiles from raining down on their holiest site?
If the Army and Air Force had failed to intercept Pakistani drones, would the SGPC be issuing the same press notes about “Maryada” and “no interference”?
Would the world not have been mourning the destruction of a shrine visited by lakhs every month? Why such resistance to the idea that the Army saved the Golden Temple? Why the hurry to distance themselves from the defenders of the nation?
More dangerously, is this just about narrative control or is there an influence of Kanneda or Khalistani sympathizers within SGPC? Will SGPC’s Khalistani sympathizers view any cooperation with Indian institutions as betrayal?
A Thankless Institution or a Calculated Denial?
The Golden Temple was under threat — and the Indian Army stepped up. Yet, instead of gratitude, SGPC has offered denial, contradiction, and even hints of suspicion towards the armed forces.
Their insistence that “nothing happened” not only contradicts senior Army leadership but also raises uncomfortable questions: Is SGPC trying to shield Pakistani aggression from full exposure? Are they unwilling to admit that without Indian defence forces, the Golden Temple could have been scarred forever?
Even as they acknowledge the “commendable role played by the Army” in abstract, they avoid granting credit where it’s due – on their own premises.
Perhaps the SGPC fears backlash from certain ideological factions or funders. Or perhaps they are simply trying to maintain a certain “anti-India” image due to Operation Blue Star. Thereby, denying credit and gratitude by refuting any military association. But the facts remain clear – India’s defence forces protected the Golden Temple, whether SGPC likes it or not.
Let Truth Illuminate the Golden Temple
The Golden Temple will always be a symbol of light. However, its narrative is being controlled for some reason. While India’s brave soldiers were risking their lives to protect one of the most sacred monuments on Indian soil, some within SGPC now seem more interested in rewriting that moment than respecting it. The real question is not whether air defence guns were placed inside or outside.
The real question is: Why is the SGPC so quick to question India’s defenders, yet so silent about its NaPak attackers?
Maybe it’s time to ask not just what happened at the Golden Temple, but what’s really going on inside the SGPC. Let the Truth shine as britghtly as Shri Harmandir Sahib. While Bharat stands with its men in uniform, seemingly SGPC wants to muddy the waters of truth with propaganda!