US Ambassador Sergio Gor Visits Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh
Amritsar — U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh on Monday during a day-long trip to Amritsar with a 28-member American delegation.
Gor paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sikhism’s holiest shrine, where he was welcomed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Harjinder Singh Dhami and Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj.
Members of the delegation, which included senators, senior government officials and foreign policy scholars, covered their heads in accordance with Sikh tradition and bowed before the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy scripture.
During discussions with Sikh religious leaders, Gor addressed issues concerning the Sikh community, including the principle of human equality and matters affecting Sikhs in the United States.
SGPC officials welcomed the ambassador and delegation in accordance with Sikh customs. Gor reportedly told Sikh leaders that it was his second visit to the Golden Temple and that he had previously visited the shrine with his parents.
The delegation later traveled to Jallianwala Bagh, the memorial commemorating the April 13, 1919, massacre in which British troops opened fire on a gathering of people.
The group’s itinerary also included the Partition Museum, which documents the experiences of people displaced during the 1947 Partition of India.
A brief demonstration took place outside the main entrance of the Golden Temple during Gor’s visit. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Acting President Emaan Singh Mann and supporters raised slogans including “Khalistan Zindabad” and “God Bless America.”
Local authorities and police put extensive security and traffic arrangements in place for the ambassador’s visit, particularly along routes connecting Amritsar’s major religious and historic sites.
The trip gave the U.S. delegation an opportunity to meet Sikh religious leaders and learn more about the city’s religious, cultural and historical heritage.
Several prominent international leaders have visited the Golden Temple over the years, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, former British Prime Minister David Cameron and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Cameron became the first British prime minister to visit the shrine in February 2013. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip also visited the Golden Temple in October 1997. (Source: IANS)
