Punjab: Left Parties Condemn Politicisation of Armed Forces, Demand Inquiry into False Claims on Air Defence Deployment at Darbar Sahib
THE Punjab state committees of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, and Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, in a joint statement issued on May 23, have condemned the “irresponsible and politically motivated attempt” to use the Indian Army for electoral and communal gains. The three parties demanded a high-level inquiry into recent claims regarding the deployment of Air Defence Guns at the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar, calling the statement false, misleading, and dangerous.
The controversy erupted after Lt. General Sumer Ivan, in a televised interview, claimed that Air Defence Guns had been deployed at the Darbar Sahib complex during "Operation Sindoor." According to his account, Pakistani forces had attempted to target Darbar Sahib using drones, which were then allegedly intercepted and destroyed by the Indian Air Defence System deployed at the site.
These claims sparked outrage and confusion, particularly among Sikh religious authorities and the wider community. Giani Raghbir Singh, Head Granthi of the Darbar Sahib, publicly refuted the claims, expressing shock and dismay. “No such defence system was ever deployed inside the Darbar Sahib complex. No permission was sought or granted by the SGPC for any such deployment,” he clarified. “This is a sacred space where we pray for the wellbeing of all humanity. It is inconceivable that anyone would associate it with military operations.”
Following this public contradiction by the Head Granthi, the Indian Army issued an official clarification, denying that any Air Defence systems were ever deployed in or around the Darbar Sahib complex. The Army’s denial effectively nullified the claims made by Lt. Gen. Ivan and further fuelled suspicions regarding the intent and timing of the statement.
The CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML) said that the statement was not a random or isolated act by an individual officer, but rather part of a larger political ploy orchestrated by the central government. “Such false and sensational claims, made without any factual basis, appear to be aimed at manipulating Sikh sentiments for political gain. This is a deeply communal and cynical move,” the parties said.
They further stated that using the army for political ends damages the institution's credibility and undermines the non-partisan character of the armed forces. “The Army is a national institution that should be kept completely outside the domain of politics. Statements like these erode public trust and set a dangerous precedent,” the parties asserted.
The joint statement also criticised the Modi-led central government for the deliberate attempt to distort facts and incite communal sentiments in Punjab. “The timing and content of this claim suggest a clear attempt to provoke controversy around a site of great religious and cultural significance. It is deeply unfortunate and unacceptable that the government is willing to jeopardise social harmony for political mileage, the statement said.
They also pointed out the inconsistency between the initial claims and the army’s subsequent denial, demanding to know how such misinformation was allowed to be disseminated in the first place. “A statement of this nature, involving military operations and a religious site, cannot be made casually or without authorisation. The central government must clarify who gave the green signal for such a claim to be made and why, the parties said.
The three parties have demanded a high-level inquiry to determine the source of the false statement, the intention behind it, and whether any procedural norms were violated in the process. They also reiterated that the armed forces must be protected from any attempt to politicise their role or activities.
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