A principled resolution passed to regulate use of Siropao at Guru’s house
SGPC to broadcast Gurbani on its own web channel from Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Baba Deep Singh: Harjinder Singh Dhami
Amritsar, January 5:
In the executive meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami, it was decided to stop the practice of giving Siropao (robe of honours) in Gurdwara Sahibs and use the financial savings resulting from this for the academic development of the youth of the community. Under this decision, while banning the general use of giving Siropao, it has been restricted only to religious personalities, Panj Piaras (five beloved ones) during Nagar Kirtan (religious procession), raagis, and religious preachers. Along with this, many other important decisions were approved.
Speaking after the executive meeting, Harjinder Singh Dhami said that apart from the in-principle decision about the use of Siropao, approval was also given to start broadcast of Gurbani on SGPC’s web channels (YouTube and Facebook, etc.) from Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Baba Deep Singh Ji, Sri Amritsar. He said that the Sangat has a lot of devotion to Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Baba Deep Singh Ji. He said that by setting up SGPC’s web channel, the Sangat will be able to watch and listen to direct Gurbani broadcasts regularly from here. He also said that a sound system of modern technology will also be installed at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that it has also been decided to give a job to Bibi Sandeep Kaur in SGPC, the daughter-in-law of Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh, who avenged the military attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib in 1984.
The SGPC President further said that the probe committee has also submitted its report on the case of firing by police at Gurdwara Akal Bunga Sahib Chhauni Nihung Singhan at Sultanpur Lodhi in the recent past and the violation of Maryada (code of conduct) by entering the Gurdwara Sahib with shoes. This report has been sent to Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib by the executive committee.
Giving brief details of the report, the SGPC President said that more than a thousand bullets were fired at the Gurdwara Sahib by the police. He said that the probe committee has recorded the statements of various people, including the heads of Nihang organizations. But the government officials are refusing to give a statement. The Deputy Commissioner has refused to record a statement before the probe committee, while the SSP has not responded to several letters and visits. He said that a report has been sent to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib for a decision.
Speaking about the action of the five-member committee formed in the case of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and other Sikh prisoners, Harjinder Singh Dhami said that time was sought for a meeting from the Prime Minister, but he has asked to contact the Home Minister. He said given this, after an appeal to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, he has extended the time for holding talks with the Centre government from December 31, 2023, to January 27, 2024. He said that the five-member committee is working diligently and it is hoped that talks will be held with the Centre government soon.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the executive has also finalized the outline of events to celebrate the Prakash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on January 17, 2024 at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib with Khalsa’s grandeur. He said that although the Prakash Gurpurb of the tenth Guru is celebrated on a grand scale at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, according to the sentiments of the Sangat, the same is being celebrated on a large scale in Punjab also. He said that apart from the main event, a grand Nagar Kirtan will be started from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib on January 10, which will be completed at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on January 16, passing through Sri Guru Gobind Singh Marg.
A condolence resolution was passed expressing deep sorrow over the demise of Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and former SGPC member.
Present in the meeting included, SGPC senior vice-president Harbhajan Singh Masanan, junior vice-president Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, general secretary Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, executive members Raghbir Singh Saharanmajra, Khushwinder Singh Bhatia, Indermohan Singh Lakhmirwala, Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Bibi Malkit Kaur Kamalpur, Amarjit Singh Bhaliapur, Bibi Jaspal Kaur, Jaswant Singh Purain, SGPC secretary Partap Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, additional secretary Sukhminder Singh, Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Tejinder Singh Padda, manager of Sri Darbar Sahib Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, assistant secretary Gurdial Singh, Gurnam Singh, Balwinder Singh Khairabad, Shahbaz Singh, legal adviser Advocate Amanbir Singh Siali and others were present.