Commemorative congregation of Saka Nankana Sahib held at Godharpur village, related to Shaheed Bhai Lachhman Singh
Rs 1.13 crore worth scholarships awarded to Amritdhari students
Amritsar, February 20: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami said on Tuesday that the SGPC does not fight for golak (offering box) but it is committed to the protection of Sikh principles and traditions. He said on the other hand, ad-hoc Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) formed by the Haryana government going against Sikh traditions is violating the Sikh Maryada (conduct) and illegally breaking the locks of golaks with an intention to take possessions of Gurdwaras there.
SGPC president was addressing the SGPC’s annual commemorative congregation of Saka (massacre) Nankana Sahib organised at Godharpur village associated with Shaheed Bhai Lachhman Singh Dharowali in Gurdaspur district.
He said that Sikh history is full of sacrifices made for the protection of shrines and the preservation of Sikh traditions.
“A century ago, Sikhs gave their martyrdoms to free the Gurdwaras from the mahants backed by the British government, but it is sad that today some people becoming tools of the government are willingly committing mischievous conspiracies and actions accepting the government subordinated management in place of the Panthic management of the Gurdwaras. Similarly, the ad-hoc HSGMC formed by the Haryana government is eager to run the Panthic management of the Gurdwaras under the subordination of the government”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami.
He said without communicating to the SGPC or the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the locks of Gurdwara Sahibs of Haryana are being broken and locked with their own locks. “It is the government excess, which has forced the Sikh community to think once again. I appeal to the Sikh community to identify, strongly oppose and confront the anti-Panthic forces while giving them a befitting reply”, said SGPC President.
Reacting to some questions being raised by people on the SGPC’s signature campaign started for the release of the Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners), Harjinder Singh Dhami said that lakhs of proformas filled by the Sangat will be sent to the President of India and all the details will be given to the United Nations Organization too.
“This people’s voice will open the closed ears of the governments and make the organizations working for the protection of human rights aware of the reality”, he said about the signature campaign.
On this occasion, the SGPC president gave a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the management of Gurudwara Shaheed Bhai Lachhman Singh for the langar hall and expressed commitment to give more amount in future.
During the event, the SGPC also honored the Amritdhari (initiated) students by giving them scholarship cheques worth about Rs 1.13 crore. Senior Akali leader and constituency in-charge Ravikaran Singh Kahlon termed it admirable to conduct the religious event every year at Godharpur, a town related to Shaheed Bhai Lachhman Singh, and thanked prominent personalities and devotees, including SGPC President, who attended the event. Before this, raagi groups performed Gurbani Kirtan besides dhadi and kavishar groups connected the congregation with the history of Saka Nankana Sahib.
Present in the congregation included Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC members Surjit Singh Tughalwal, Gurnam Singh Jassal, Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Bhai Ram Singh, Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Gurinderpal Singh Ranike, Kuldeep Singh Tera, Bibi Jasbir Kaur Jafarwal, Gurwinder Singh Shampura, Sukhwarsh Singh Pannu, Jasbir Singh Ghuman, Sukhbir Singh Wahla, Baba Sukhwinder Singh Malakpur, Baba Sukha Singh Sarhali, additional secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, President of Gurdwara Sahib Gurvinder Singh, Sarpanch Dalbir Singh, DSP Sukhpal Singh, and others.