Amritsar, July 4:
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today organised a congregation at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall, to commemorate the attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib on July 4, 1955, during the Punjabi Suba Morcha.
After the bhog (concluding ceremony) of Sri Akhand Path Sahib (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib), hazuri raagi Bhai Harwinder Singh jatha performed Gurbani Kirtan and Ardas (Sikh prayer) was offered by Bhai Baljit Singh. On this occasion, Bhai Harmitar Singh, kathawachak (discourse narrator) of Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, informed the Sangat about the history of this incident.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami also attended the congregation.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, the holiest place of Sikhs who sacrificed more than 80% for the India’s freedom, was attacked by the government on July 4, 1955. He said that the governments have always committed excesses against the Sikhs and just 8 years after the country’s independence; this attack was a clear manifestation of the Congress government’s excess to suppress the rightful demand of the Sikhs for a Punjabi state. After this, in June 1984, Indira Gandhi’s government also attacked the central shrine of the Sikh community and inflicted deep wounds, which the community can never forget, he said.
He also said that even now the Sikh community is being targeted with the aim of destroying the Sikh institutions. “Government efforts are increasing to weaken the SGPC. Just as the Congress government of Punjab had committed a police attack inside Sri Darbar Sahib in 1955, the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party government made a desperate attempt to destroy the Sikh Gurdwaras Act (1915). The Sikh community has always responded to such conspiracies and will give a strong response to such anti-Sikh movements in the future as well”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami.
During the congregation, dhadi (balladeer) Bhai Gurbhej Singh Chawinda, Bhai Gurpreet Singh Bhangu, and preacher Bhai Harpreet Singh Wadala shared history with the congregation.
On this occasion, SGPC member Harjap Singh Sultanwind, secretary Partap Singh, additional secretary Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Bijay Singh, assistant secretary Prof Sukhdev Singh, Shahbaz Singh, superintendent Malkit Singh Beharwal and the Sangat were present.