AMRITSAR:Â Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday met the families of the two youths killed in police firing while protesting against the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot district.
Kejriwal first paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and then visited the families of the anti-desecration protest victims in Kotkapura in Faridkot district.
“It is unfortunate and painful. It seems it is a willful act by somebody who wanted to disturb peace in the state,” Mr Kejriwal told reporters after he arrived on his first visit to Punjab after becoming the Chief Minister in February and was set to meet families of two Sikh youths killed in police firing during anti-desecration protests at Faridkot.
Kejriwal was in Punjab to visit the families of the two youths who were killed in police firing while protesting against the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot.
He condemned police action, saying it was wrong to use force against people who were protesting peacefully against acts of sacrilege.
I am deeply hurt by the instances of disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib. The specific purpose of my visit to the Golden Temple was to pray for the tranquility, as it is the holiest shrine where every wish is fulfilled. I also appeal to the citizens of Punjab to stay calm and maintain peace.
AAP Leader said it was the responsibility of Punjab government to arrest the real culprits behind the incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib ji, saying no innocent person should be slapped with “false cases”.
He refused to answer more queries, saying he was in the state to pray for peace.
“Golden Temple has great spiritual power and I prayed before the Almighty for early peace and normalcy to get rid of current turmoil in Punjab,” he said after paying obeisance there.
While paying obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Golden Temple, Mr Kejriwal preferred to go inside along with other devotees, ignoring the VIP passage.
Thereafter, he also paid obeisance in front of Sri Akal Takht (the highest Sikh Temporal Seat).
Earlier, before entering Golden Temple, he was he was honoured with Siropa (robe of honour) and presented a set of Sikh religious books at the information centre. However, he did not register his visit in the visitors’ book of the shrine.
After paying obeisance, he went to Kotkapura by road to meet families of two Sikhs who were killed in police firing.