Decision taken after discussing letter of DSGMC President Harmeet Singh Kalka in larger interests of community: Harjinder Singh Dhami
Amritsar, December 16:
The Panthic (community’s) protest demonstration to be held in Delhi on December 20 by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) regarding the release of the Sikh prisoners has been deferred for the time being.
The SGPC made this decision after discussing a letter by the President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Harmeet Singh Kalka, who is also a member of the five-member high-level committee regarding Sikh prisoners, sent to the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. Addressing a press conference here today, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that although the December 20 Delhi protest was based on the earlier decision of the SGPC’s executive committee, considering the larger interests of the Panth (community), it is currently being postponed. He said that the SGPC does not want any mutual differences to arise in the five-member committee of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the SGPC had received nearly 26 lakh signatures under its signature campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners in the past, which were scheduled to be handed over to the President of India on December 20. This program was according to the decision of the SGPC executive meeting convened on December 3 before the five-member committee was even constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 6.
Giving information, the SGPC President said that because of the announcement of a hunger strike by Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, a delegation of SGPC met him at Central Jail in Patiala on November 28. Meanwhile, to consider the letter given by Bhai Rajoana, special SGPC executive meetings were called on November 30 and December 3, during which a decision was taken to hold a Panthic protest in Delhi on December 20. He said its preparations were already underway. A large number of Panthic organizations, Shiromani Akali Dal, Kar Sewa Sampradas, Nirmale, Udasi, Nihang Singh organizations, Damdami Taksal, federations, and supporters including farmers’ unions had expressed their commitment to participate in this protest with full support. He said that of course it was a program announced separately by the SGPC, but every member of the five-member committee formed by Akal Takht Sahib on the issue of Sikh prisoners is respected.
Harjinder Singh Dhami thanked all the parties, organizations, and farmers’ unions who announced their support to the SGPC’s Panthic protest and said that the Sikh body expects such support for Panthic activities in the future as well.
Present during the press conference included SGPC members Bhai Manjit Singh Bhurakohna, Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Amarjit Singh Bandala, Akali leader Barjinder Singh Brar, SGPC secretary Partap Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, additional secretary Tejinder Singh Padda, assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi, and Harbhajan Singh Vakta were present.
During martyrdom fortnight from December 16 to 31, normal langar will be made in Gurdwaras: Harjinder Singh Dhami
During the martyrdom fortnight dedicated to the martyrdom days of Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, from December 16 to December 31, 2023, no special person will be honoured and there will be special langars. Even sweet dishes will not be prepared. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the martyrdom fortnight dedicated to the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas is an extremely emotional time for the Sikh community. He said that according to the decision of the SGPC, during the martyrdom fortnight, normal dishes will be served in Guru’s langar (community kitchen food) and no person will be given Siropao (robe of honour). He also appealed to the local Gurdwara management committees to implement this decision at their respective places given the sentimentality of the martyrdom fortnight. He also appealed to the community to recite Gurbani as much as possible in the memory of Sahibzadas.