Governments should observe martyrdom day of Sahibzadas as Sahibzade Shahdat Diwas & not as Veer Bal Diwas: Harjinder Singh Dhami
First meeting of newly elected SGPC executive held under presidency of Harjinder Singh Dhami
Amritsar, November 22:
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in its today’s executive committee (EC) meeting presided over by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami has decided that the signature campaign to be launched from December 1, 2022, demanding release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners) will be held nationwide.
It was the first meeting of the SGPC EC which was newly elected on November 9, in which many important decisions were taken.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the active campaign under the struggle for the release of Sikh prisoners will be taken forward from December 1, 2022. He said a signature campaign will be launched, under which, proformas will be filled besides spreading awareness among the Sangat about the cases of Sikh prisoners and the punishments served.
“In order to make this movement nationwide, an approach will be made for filling proformas to different states through the SGPC’s Sikh missions and Gurdwara management committees besides Punjab”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami. He said that the center of this campaign will be the SGPC office in Amritsar, while sub-centres will be established in every district of Punjab and Sikh missions outside Punjab.
“Especially in Punjab, proformas will be filled by setting up camps at Gurdwaras, educational institutions, railway stations, bus stands, cities, towns and important intersections”, said SGPC President.
He said that after completing the work of filling the proformas, a one-day protest will be held by all SGPC members at Chandigarh, after which, the filled proformas will be handed over to the Governor of Punjab. He also said that besides filling the proformas, its entire written and digital record will also be maintained simultaneously.
About another EC decisions, Harjinder Singh Dhami said that following the direction from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the SGPC had appealed to Government of India to observe the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’ instead of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’.
“The Union and state governments have been asked once again to implement the decision as recommended by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Martyrdom day of Sahibzadas is an important page of Sikh history, which should be observed as per the spirit of Sikh heritage and Gurmat (teachings of Sikh Gurus). Therefore, the Government of India should change and announce the name of this day as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’ as suggested by the committee formed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. I urge the state governments to organize the event in accordance with the same spirit, and not as Veer Bal Diwas”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami.
The SGPC President said that rules have also been framed for the proper use of Siropao (robe of honour) in the future. Now it has been decided to honour the dignitaries only with books instead of Siropao, shawl and mementoes in every educational institution. Even at Gurdwaras, orders have been issued to ensure use of Siropao as per the Gurmat. “Only those who have contributed to Panthic (community’s) causes will be honoured with Siropao, while books will be given to other respected personalities”, he said.
SGPC EC has also decided to put a complete ban on recruitment within the SGPC for the next 6 months. SGPC President said only temporary labour can be employed as per the requirement during major jorh melas (historical congregations).
SGPC President also informed that the already running YouTube channel of SGPC will be made functional in a better way to ensure communication of various SGPC functions to the Sangat on a regular basis.
Apart from SGPC President, those present in the EC meeting included senior vice-president Baldev Singh Qaimpur, junior vice-president Avtar Singh Ria, general secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, EC members Mohan Singh Bangi, Jarnail Singh Kartarpur, Surjit Singh Tughalwal, Bawa Singh Gumanpura, Bibi Gurinder Kaur Bholuwala, Gurnam Singh Jassal, Paramjit Singh Khalsa, Sher Singh Mandwala, Baba Gurpreet Singh, Bhupinder Singh Assandh and Malkit Singh Changal, secretary Partap Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, additional secretaries Sukhminder Singh, Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Gurmeet Singh Buttar, assistant secretary Gurdial Singh, Gurcharan Singh Kuhala, in-charge Shahbaz Singh, superintendent Malkeet Singh Beharwal, Paramjit Singh, Jatinderpal Singh, in-charge Gurnam Singh, Balwinder Singh, Karaj Singh, Harpal Singh, Tarsem Singh, and manager Satnam Singh Mangasarai, Sukhraj Singh.
Giani Jagtar Singh, head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib retires from service
The SGPC executive has decided to retire Giani Jagtar Singh, who was serving as the head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib. In his place, additional head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh Ludhiana will serve as head granthi till further employment. Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Giani Jagtar Singh has performed his services as per Panthic sentiments, which has been appreciated by the executive committee. He said that in respect of the services rendered by Giani Jagtar Singh, he will be honoured by holding a congregation at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall on November 26, 2022.