The controversy over claims that the Indian Army deployed air defense guns at the Golden Temple during recent India-Pakistan hostilities has sparked a sharp public dispute between military officials and Sikh religious authorities.
Official statement from SGCP
Giani Amarjeet Singh, Additional Head Granthi of the Golden Temple, categorically denied the Army’s assertion that air defense guns were deployed within the sacred premises. He clarified that while the shrine participated in a city-wide blackout by switching off exterior and upper lights—following district administration guidelines—no permission was given for any military deployment inside the Golden Temple. Religious practices and daily rituals continued as usual, and “no one has the right to interfere with our religious protocols,” he emphasized.
SGPC President also condemned the army’s claim of defense deployment.
The official tweet on SpaceX, read as
“Indian Army Officer’s Statement About Deploying Air Defence Guns at Sri Harmandar Sahib is Shockingly Untrue—Head Granthi
– @SGPCPresident Also States No Such Permission Was Granted, Nor Did Any Such Incident Occur.”
Background; the sources of the controversy
According to the Times of India report, controversy erupted after Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, the Army’s air defence chief, stated that the Golden Temple management had allowed air defence guns to be positioned within the shrine to counter Pakistani drone and missile threats during the recent escalation. He even claimed it was the first time in years that the Temple’s lights were switched off for operational reasons, suggesting close cooperation between the Army and the shrine’s authorities.
This claim followed Indian Army statements that Pakistan had targeted the Golden Temple with drones and missiles in retaliation for India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Army officials said all threats were intercepted, crediting the “head granthi’s” cooperation for the successful defence.
SGPC’s strong rebuttal
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the Golden Temple, swiftly and forcefully rejected the Army’s version:
- SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami and Additional Head Granthi Giani Amarjeet Singh called the Army’s statement “shockingly untrue,” insisting that neither permission was sought nor any guns were deployed at the shrine.
- Dhami stated the SGPC was only contacted about the blackout and fully complied, but at no point was military hardware allowed inside. He noted that the presence of such weapons would have been immediately noticed by the large congregation of devotees, which did not happen.
- Giani Raghbir Singh, the Head Granthi (who was abroad at the time), also denied any communication regarding gun deployment, dismissing the Army’s claim as baseless.
- The SGPC leadership demanded clarification from the government, questioning why such “falsehoods” were being spread about a central Sikh religious site.
Army’s stand and political reactions
Despite the SGPC’s denials, Army officials have maintained their account, with some political leaders supporting the Army’s version and condemning Pakistan for allegedly targeting a revered religious site. Meanwhile, the SGPC and Sikh leaders have reiterated the Golden Temple’s spiritual significance and expressed concern over the politicization of the issue, emphasizing that the temple remains a place of peace and solace, undisturbed by military intervention
Altogether, the dispute has highlighted sensitivities around the sanctity of religious sites and the importance of clear communication during national security crises, with the SGPC demanding accountability for what it calls a “false narrative” about the Golden Temple.