Harjinder Singh Dhami hands over memorandums demanding release of Bandi Singhs, repealing HSGM Act, 2014
President honoured by SGPC at information center
Amritsar, March 9:
The President of India Droupadi Murmu today paid obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar. She offered Karah Prasad (Holy Communion) and listened to Gurbani Kirtan for a while. On the occasion of paying obeisance at Sri Harmandar Sahib, the President was honoured with Patasa Prasad (Holy Communion) and a garland of flowers. She also went to Langar Sri Guru Ramdas Ji, sat in the pangat (queue) and had langar (food from the community kitchen).
In the parikarma (circumambulation) of Sri Harmandar Sahib, President Droupadi Murmu was informed about the history, maryada (conduct), and Sikh traditions of this holy shrine by the SGPC office-bearers and information officers. She was also specially honoured by the SGPC at the information center of Sri Darbar Sahib.
On the occasion of the President paying obeisance at Sri Harmandar Sahib, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC members and officials were present.
Sharing her experience of Sri Harmandar Sahib, the President of India wrote in the visitor’s book, “I am happy to visit Sri Harmandar Sahib and pay obeisance at the holy temple. This holy place with beautiful architecture and divine serenity around it evokes feelings of calmness and harmony. I prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. It was great to see the volunteers working tirelessly in the spirit of service and devotion specially during Langar. May the teachings of Sikh Gurus continue to inspire us to practice brotherhood and unity.”
Meanwhile, on the occasion of honouring President Droupadi Murmu at the Information Center of Sri Darbar Sahib, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami also handed over two memorandums regarding the release of Bandi Singhs and for repealing the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act, 2014. In a memorandum submitted for the release of Bandi Singhs, it was said that despite completion of their jail sentences, the Sikh prisoners are not being released. This is a gross violation of human rights. It was demanded from the President to intervene in this matter and instruct the government to release Sikh prisoners. In this memorandum, the release of nine Sikh prisoners has been demanded including Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera, Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, and Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara.
In the second memorandum, it was demanded to repeal the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act (HSGM), 2014. It has been said that the Haryana government has made this Act in an unconstitutional manner. The provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 have been violated while passing the HSGM Act. The management of historical Gurdwaras of Haryana is still notified under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. It was demanded from the President that immediate action be taken to repeal the unconstitutional HSGM Act, 2014.
Present on this occasion included Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Union minister of state Som Prakash, SGPC junior vice president Avtar Singh Raya, general secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, members Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Bhai Manjit Singh, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Bhai Ram Singh, Jodh Singh Samra, member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla, SGPC secretary Partap Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, manager of Sri Darbar Sahib Satnam Singh Mangasarai, assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Shahbaz Singh, Amritsar deputy commissioner Harpreet Singh Sudan, commissioner of police Naunihal Singh, DCP Parminder Singh Bhandal, SP Harpal Singh Randhawa, SGPC spokesperson Harbhajan Singh Vakta, information officers Amritpal Singh, Harinder Singh, Randhir Singh and others were present.