Sikh netizens take dig at Punjab DGP, call themselves ‘terrorists’

JALANDHAR: Notwithstanding Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta’s statement that his remarks about Kartarpur Corridor were misunderstood and misconstrued, Sikh netizens continued to criticise him. What can be embarrassing for the police brass is that several Sikh netizens are now even calling themselves ‘terrorists’ or ‘potential terrorists’.
Several of those who have already visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur Sahib have posted their pictures taken at the Sikh shrine having a one-word comment ‘terrorist’ or a brief post that they have already qualified to be called terrorists.Hashtags are also being used against the DGP. “Me too will be becoming terrorist in six hours by visiting Kartarpur Sahib soon,” wrote actor and film maker Kuljinder Singh Sidhu. Another netizen Hardeep Singh Hayer while posting his photograph of the Kartarpur gurdwara wrote “Dinkar Gupta, I have stayed there for more than six hours.”
A widely shared Facebook post narrating the experiences during visit to Kartarpur, mentioning the warmth, love and hospitality showered on pilgrims was changing perception about Pakistan in six hours. The post ended with a strong dig asking “if Pakistan can make a Sikh terrorist in six hours, why could India not make Sikhs Indian in 70 years”. The last question was shared widely by scores of Sikh FB users, including those from the diaspora.
Sikh netizens probably took cue from Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s dig at DGP, stating that, “If pilgrimage to historical gurdwaras make us terrorists, then we are happy to be called terrorists hundred times.” The jathedar had also said that Gupta should be removed and booked for his remarks hurting Sikhs and vilifying the community.