Facebook picture sparks outrage among Sikhs

Ludhiana, Punjab: A morphed picture showing a Facebook user looking like Guru Gobind Singh has kicked up a row. As per the Facebook account, the user is Sarabjeet Singh Galee of Kedah (Malaysia).

Though the objectionable picture was removed on Wednesday, various organisations here have demanded the registration of a criminal case. The controversy comes close on the heels of the uproar over a morphed picture of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on Facebook.

Galee’s profile picture apparently shows him with his wife, even as access to the FB account (jeet.galee) is now ‘private’. The authenticity of the account/user is yet to be established. Also, it’s not clear yet whether the account has been hacked or not. “The picture has hurt religious feelings of Sikhs. It’s a deliberate insult,” said Youth Organisation of India president Maninder Pal Singh Teetu. A delegation of the organisation met commissioner of police, Ludhiana, Paramjeet Singh Gill in this regard on Thursday. The commissioner assured the delegation of stern action.

“We will launch a statewide agitation if the police fail to do the needful,” said Teetu.

Gill said various aspects of the case were being verified by the police. “There is confusion about whether a case against Galee has already been registered in Pathankot or Amritsar. SSPs concerned have been asked to verify the matter. If it’s not so, a fresh case can be registered,” the commissioner said. He also appealed to various sections of society to maintain calm.

SGPC WRITES TO MALAYSIAN ENVOY
Upset at the Facebook picture, SGPC has written to the Malaysian high commissioner to take stern action against Galee for hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs.. “We have also appealed to Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal to take up the matter with the Centre to ensure that the Malaysian government puts the culprit behind bars,” SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar told Hindustan Times.

Source: The Tribune