BJP leader calls Masjid-gurdwara growth 'problematic', says 'meant Masjid-madrasa' as SGPC condemns
Protests broke out soon after Sandeep Dayma's statement at rally in Rajasthan's Tijara. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee says speaking against mosques 'equally condemnable'.
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New Delhi: Taking exception to BJP leader Sandeep Dayma calling an increase in the number of mosques and gurdwaras in the country “problematic”, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — which manages gurdwaras in the country — has alleged that such speeches were a “conspiracy by BJP leaders to defeat the thought of Guru Nanak Dev, which was done in the olden times also”.
Dayma has since apologised, but the SGPC condemned his clarification as well.
The controversy started Wednesday during Dayma’s address at a rally in Tijara, Rajasthan, in support of the party’s candidate from there, Baba Balaknath, after the latter had filed his nomination papers.
In his speech, Dayma said, “If the Congress candidate wins from this constituency, the number of masjids and gurdwaras will rise and that will be problematic for people living here.” He added that these would be uprooted once his party came to power.
Later, in a video apology the same day, shared by the SGPC on X, Dayma said: “During an election rally, I uttered wrong words…I wanted to say masjid-madrasa but somehow said gurdwara. I apologise to the entire Sikh community. The community has saved Hindus and Sanatana Dharma…I don’t know how I have made such a mistake.”
