06-25-2006, 09:30 PM
<b>I stand by what I said: Sushma</b> <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New Delhi, June 24: <b>Under attack from pro-Congress Sikh religious leaders here for her comments on the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said she stood by her remarks that a Hindu courtier had little role in the execution of the fifth Guru ordered by Emperor Jehangir</b>.
She also received support from Sikh scholars who described Jehangir's courtier Chandu as a "small fry" behind the Guru's execution.
"I did not concoct a story. I quoted excerpts from a book, <b>'Pancham Guru, Jeevani Guru Arjan Dev', by Satbir Singh. It clearly states that Jehangir was primarily responsible for the execution of Guru Arjan Dev as Sikhism was becoming popular fast because of its principles and teachings," </b>Swaraj said.
Her comments came in the wake of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Harvinder Singh Sarna accusing her of distorting historical facts related to the martyrdom.
<b>"Is Sarna trying to belittle such a great sacrifice by linking it to a tiny courtier like Chandu who had some grudge against the Guru because he turned down a matrimonial proposal from him for the Guru's son," Swaraj said.
Sikh scholars also endorsed Swaraj's views, which she had expressed at Tarn Taran during a martyrdom anniversary event that Jehangir had his own reasons for ordering the execution.
"In a way she is right. There was a war of succession and Jehangir had to take a hardline to remain in power,"</b> Bhai Veer Singh Sahitya Sadan Director Mohinder Singh said.
In his comments, columnist Mahip Singh quoted excerpts from Jehangir's autobiography in which the Mughal emperor mentioned why he ordered the execution.
<b>"In Tuzuk-i-Jehangiri, the emperor himself has used highly disparaging remarks against Sikhism and pledged to wipe it out,"</b> Singh said.
Akali parties also threw their weight behind Swaraj as they criticised the DSGMC Chief for what they called "politicising" the Guru's sacrifice.
"The martyrdom was not an ordinary event. It should be seen in its right perspective. There's no denying that it was the Mughal emperor who put the Guru to death," Akali Dal (Panthak) leader Manjit Singh, also a DSGMC member, said.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also accused the DSGMC of attempts to create a controversy out of Swaraj's remarks.
<b>"Political differences are one thing, but history is another. It's sacrosanct. The DSGMC has tried to politicise a great sacrifice,"</b> SAD general secretary Onkar Singh Thapar said
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She also received support from Sikh scholars who described Jehangir's courtier Chandu as a "small fry" behind the Guru's execution.
"I did not concoct a story. I quoted excerpts from a book, <b>'Pancham Guru, Jeevani Guru Arjan Dev', by Satbir Singh. It clearly states that Jehangir was primarily responsible for the execution of Guru Arjan Dev as Sikhism was becoming popular fast because of its principles and teachings," </b>Swaraj said.
Her comments came in the wake of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Harvinder Singh Sarna accusing her of distorting historical facts related to the martyrdom.
<b>"Is Sarna trying to belittle such a great sacrifice by linking it to a tiny courtier like Chandu who had some grudge against the Guru because he turned down a matrimonial proposal from him for the Guru's son," Swaraj said.
Sikh scholars also endorsed Swaraj's views, which she had expressed at Tarn Taran during a martyrdom anniversary event that Jehangir had his own reasons for ordering the execution.
"In a way she is right. There was a war of succession and Jehangir had to take a hardline to remain in power,"</b> Bhai Veer Singh Sahitya Sadan Director Mohinder Singh said.
In his comments, columnist Mahip Singh quoted excerpts from Jehangir's autobiography in which the Mughal emperor mentioned why he ordered the execution.
<b>"In Tuzuk-i-Jehangiri, the emperor himself has used highly disparaging remarks against Sikhism and pledged to wipe it out,"</b> Singh said.
Akali parties also threw their weight behind Swaraj as they criticised the DSGMC Chief for what they called "politicising" the Guru's sacrifice.
"The martyrdom was not an ordinary event. It should be seen in its right perspective. There's no denying that it was the Mughal emperor who put the Guru to death," Akali Dal (Panthak) leader Manjit Singh, also a DSGMC member, said.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also accused the DSGMC of attempts to create a controversy out of Swaraj's remarks.
<b>"Political differences are one thing, but history is another. It's sacrosanct. The DSGMC has tried to politicise a great sacrifice,"</b> SAD general secretary Onkar Singh Thapar said
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