Kurukshetra SKAU VC says fifth Sikh Guru sacrificed for Sanatam Hindu Dharma, Sikh leaders oppose

Shri Krishna Ayush University (SKAU) vice chancellor Prof Vaidya Kartar Singh Dhiman made a controversial statement on Monday that Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, sacrificed his life to protect Sanatan Hindu Dharma.
On the occasion of Shahidi Diwas (martyrdom day) of Guru Arjan Dev, SKAU, a government Ayurveda university, organized Chhabeel (sweetwater langar) to remember him.
The banner placed by SKAU at Chhabeel counter shows a painting of atrocities being committed on Guru Arjan Dev and the description reads, “For protecting Sanatan Dharma, fifth Guru of Sikh Panth accepted the torture by Mughal invader Jahangir but did not abandon his Sanatan Dharma.”
SKAU also released a written statement of VC Dhiman said, “In the glorious history of Sanatan culture, the priceless thoughts of the fifth Guru of Sikh Panth, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, inspire the entire human race to follow the right path. Throughout his life, he not only showed the light of knowledge to mankind, but also to protect the Sanatan Hindu Dharma, when the Mughal invader made him sit on a hot pan and hot sand was poured on his head, even then he did not abandon the Sanatan Hindu Dharma despite suffering physical torture.”
When contacted about the statement by SKAU VC, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s Dharam Prachar (religious preaching) chairman, Baljit Singh Daduwal said, “Some Chaploos (sycophant) people try to please their masters in attempt to change and re-write Sikh history. Such people should refrain from doing so or the community would take decisions as per its Panthic traditions. The Sikh Sangat should also be aware and oppose such expressions.”
Delhi’s JAGO party chief Manjit Singh GK said, “The Sikh Gurus never adopted Sanatan Hindu Dharma ideology rather they brought their Sikhs out of superstitions and other such rituals. The sacrifice of Guru Arjan Dev Ji was because of his work that he compiled Guru Granth Sahib, such a Granth, which was revered by people of all three communities be it Hindu, Muslim or Sikhs.”
A social media post by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) posted on this occasion reads, “During his time as Guru, Guru Arjan Dev wrote Gurbani (holy verses), built Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), compiled Guru Granth Sahib, developed towns (Tarn Taran and Kartarpur), developed Sarovars (Amritsar and Santokhsar in Amritsar) and wells and other great works, due to which Mughal rulers felt uneasy. The fifth Guru was martyred by Mughals under false charges of Yasa law.”
According to Sikh writer Kapur Singh, the Yasa law was utilized by the Mongols to execute religious figures. They believed that shedding the blood of such individuals would lead to their spirits returning to cause trouble. Although the Mongols later embraced Islam, they continued to adhere to the Yasa law. This explains why Guru Arjan Dev was subjected to torturous death without shedding his blood.
Following Akbar’s death in 1605, Jahangir ascended to the throne and felt uneasy about Guru’s growing popularity. He succumbed to the pressure exerted by Guru’s enemies. Various allegations were levied against Guru Arjan Dev, including his alleged support for the rebellious Khusro.
In the Jahangirnama, it is recorded, “He pretended to be a spiritual guide and deceived many gullible Indians, as well as some ignorant Muslims, by proclaiming himself a saint. They referred to him as Guru. Numerous naive individuals sought solace in him and unquestioningly believed in him. This charade had persisted for three or four generations. I had long contemplated whether to eradicate this false profession or to bring him into the fold of Islam. Eventually, when Khusraw passed through the region, this insignificant individual desired to pay homage to Khusraw. When Khusraw halted at his residence, [Arjan] emerged and engaged in conversation with [Khusraw], offering him rudimentary spiritual teachings gathered from various sources… When I was informed of this, I realized the extent of his deceit and ordered him to be brought to me. I assigned his properties, dwellings, and those of his children to Murtaza Khan, and commanded the confiscation of his belongings and goods, as well as his execution.”