Amritsar: The Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip visited Arumugamangalam village in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu onn September 9 to meet the parents of 25-year-old Kavin Selva Ganesh, who was recently murdered in a caste-based honour killing. Jathedar Gargajj specially went to their home to meet Kavin’s father, Mr. Chandra Shekhar, and mother, Tamil Selvi, extending solidarity with the grieving family and assuring them that the Sikh community stands firmly with them in their pursuit of justice.

It is noteworthy that the deceased, Kavin, was a nephew of Tamil Sikh and the Supreme Court lawyer Jeevan Singh, at whose invitation Jathedar Gargajj arrived in Tamil Nadu.

Expressing deep concern, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said it is painful that even today, the world continues to witness incidents of casteism, racial discrimination, and honour killings. He reminded that according to the philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru (master), the entire humanity has been described as the creation of One Akal Purakh (Eternal Being).

On this occasion, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj offered prayers before the Almighty, seeking divine strength and courage for the bereaved family to continue their struggle for justice, and that they may remain in Chardi Kala (ever-rising spirits). He also prayed for the eradication of divisions based on caste, creed, and social hierarchy, which continue to claim many innocent lives, and called for the spread of the Gurus’ teachings of universal brotherhood and equality.

Jathedar Gargajj told Kavin’s father, Mr. Chandra Shekhar, that he must fight the legal battle with courage to secure justice for his son and to send a strong message to society against caste-based discrimination, ensuring such tragedies do not repeat.

He emphasized that although Sikh Gurus abolished caste-based discrimination centuries ago, the menace of casteism and atrocities has still not been completely eradicated from the world.

He further prayed for the elimination of caste-based prejudice in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states, and stressed that obtaining justice in this case is the fundamental right of the victim’s family.

Jathedar Gargajj is currently on a three-day tour in Tamil Nadu under the religious preaching campaign “Khaira Hoe Sabh Milainge” (All Those Degraded Shall Unite). During this tour, he is visiting various villages and towns across the state, meeting local people as well as victims of caste-based discrimination, and sharing with them the message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev along with Sikh principles and philosophy.

He stated that Sri Guru Nanak Dev himself had visited this region during his Udasis (travels), and the local people are now being acquainted with the teachings of the Guru.

Jathedar Gargajj was accompanied by Punjab based Sikh Barjinder Singh Hussainpur, Tamil Sikh Jeevan Singh, Media Adviser to Secretariat Akal Takht Sahib Jaskaran Singh and some local community members.