Former Punjab Deputy CM and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has demanded from the PM that Sri Amritsar Sahib Ji be declared a “No War Zone” at the international level. He says that Sri Harmandir Sahib is not an ordinary place, it is the soul of Sikhism and a spiritual symbol of peace.
He has written that it is the joint responsibility of all of us to protect the sanctity and glory of Sri Amritsar Sahib Ji. Hopefully the central government will see this appeal of mine not as political, but as the protection of a symbol of peace.
Randhawa has raised three points in the letter to the Prime Minister:
1. This place is the heartbeat of Sikhism
Randhawa has written in his letter that the holy city of Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is not just a geographical place, it is the spiritual heartbeat of Sikhism and a beacon of love and peace for humanity. Its sacred aura is beyond religious boundaries.
With all due respect, I would like to clarify that this appeal is not a request for political sovereignty like Vatican City, but a plea for international spiritual recognition and permanent security protection. In an era of rising global tensions and militarization,
it is imperative that Sri Amritsar be protected from the threats of war and violence, now and forever. The universal teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib based on peace, humility and universal brotherhood serve as a powerful moral resistance to the rising tide of militarism across the world.
2. The Sarbat da Bhala principle must be followed
With many global powers moving towards conflict, the Sikh principle of “Sarbat da Bhala” (welfare of all) must be elevated and preserved as humanity’s last hope for coexistence and peace.
Recent geopolitical tensions, especially during the Indo-Pak standoff, have revived legitimate concerns about Sri Amritsar’s potential vulnerability in the event of a military conflict. These concerns expressed by the Sikh community and civil society indicate the need for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond regional concerns and calls for an international framework to guarantee the security and sanctity of this revered city under all circumstances.
3. Importance like Mecca and Vatican City
Sri Amritsar has the same spiritual importance for Sikhism as Mecca for Muslims and the Vatican for Christians. Therefore, it is my humble request that the global spiritual importance of Sri Amritsar be officially recognised and appropriate international security mechanisms be considered and adopted to protect the Vatican. Necessary diplomatic and legislative steps be taken to declare Sri Amritsar Sahib a “war-free zone”. Working together with international bodies to establish permanent protection for this holy site.
