Seminar dedicated to 150th Foundation Day of Singh Sabha Movement organized at Khalsa College
Amritsar, September 21: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will compile a book by conducting in-depth research from all aspects related to the Singh Sabha Movement, which will include detailed information about every Qaumi (community’s) hero related to this movement, its background, history, work and achievements. This announcement was made by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami during a special seminar organized by SGPC at Khalsa College dedicated to the 150th Foundation Day of Singh Sabha Movement. In this seminar, in addition to SGPC President, SGPC General Secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, senior Akali leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, principal of Khalsa College Mahal Singh addressed the gathering and Sikh scholars Dr Harbhajan Singh Dehradun and Dr Inderjit Singh Gogoani read the research papers.
Speaking during the seminar, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the leaders of the Singh Sabha movement realized their strength after seeing the immediate Sikh challenges and made great achievements by fighting the situation with a strategy. He said that in the light of Gurbani, ancient Sikhs worked for the advancement of Sikh faith under one passion, but today we are moving away from our identity and doctrinal objectivity. There are conspiracies to take us away from our history, values and principles, he said.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that at present there is a great need that the challenges faced by the Sikh community should be unitedly fought like the leaders of the Singh Sabha Movement and Gurdwara Reform Movement. He announced that a research work would be conducted on various aspects of the Singh Sabha Movement dedicated to its 150th Founding centenary. He said that although several scholars have previously worked on the Singh Sabha Movement, every aspect of it will be included and a collection will be published, in which the cooperation of Sikh scholars will be taken. He also said that on October 1, 2023, for the occasion of the main event of the centenary at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall, invitations will be sent to the Singh Sabhas across the country and gathering will be held so that the centenary of this movement that brought revolution in the Qaum will be historic.
On this occasion, senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said that Sikh history plays an important role in determining future priorities and the contribution and achievements of the Singh Sabha Movement are the guiding light of the community at present. Seeing the challenges faced by Sikhi (Sikh faith) at that time, the movement created by intellectuals, journalists, scholars and preachers played a major role in setting Sikh preaching and narrative on firm lines. Literature, Sikh preaching and establishment of educational institutions are major achievements of the Singh Sabha movement. Today there is a great need to be organized by taking guidance from it.
Principal of Khalsa College, Sri Amritsar Dr Mahal Singh gave the welcome speech and SGPC General Secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal managed the stage. On this occasion, a booklet about the Singh Sabha Movement written by Sikh scholar Dr Rajwinder Singh Joga and published by SGPC’s Dharam Prachar Committee was also released and Khalsa College Principal Dr Mahal Singh honoured SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami and other personalities on behalf of the management of Khalsa College.
On the occasion of the seminar, former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, junior vice-president Avtar Singh Raya, member Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri, Gurmeet Singh Booh, Bhai Ajaib Singh Abhyasi, Sukhwarsh Singh Pannu, Principal Dr Mahal Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, additional secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Bijay Singh, associate secretary Prof Sukhdev Singh, Shahbaz Singh, former secretary Prof Balwinder Singh Jorasingha, SGPC spokesperson Harbhajan Singh Vakta, superintendent Rajinder Singh Ruby, Prof Baljinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh Sandhawalia, scholar Rajwinder Singh Joga, Principal Manjit Kaur, Dr Atam Singh Randhawa, Dr Hardev Singh, Gurcharan Singh Bhura, Principal Rajpal Singh, in-charge Kartar Singh, Balwinder Singh Deol, head pracharak Bhai Jagdev Singh were present.