Amritsar, February 19, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, chief secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said that the Government of India (GOI) was treating the minority communities in the country, especially the Sikhs, as strangers.
“From time to time a negative attitude towards minority issues is becoming the policy of the Centre which is not conducive to democracy in the country. Recently, on the occasion of the first centenary of Saka Nankana Sahib, the GOI has expressed its anti-Sikh policy by stopping the Jatha being sent to Pakistan by the SGPC”, said SGPC chief secretary.
He said, “When the process for this Jatha was going on, why did not the GOI wake up then. When the pilgrims had already reached Amritsar to go to Nankana Sahib on February 18, after the issuance of visas, arrival of the decision to stop the Jatha at the last moment on the pretext of security and Covid-19 is questionable.”
SGPC chief secretary said, “GOI should not work under the agenda of any political party but should respect the sentiments of all sections and communities within the ambit of the Constitution of the country.
The contribution of Sikhs in this country can never be underestimated. The Prime Minister and the responsible ministers of the government should not forget that the Sikhs made the greatest sacrifices to protect the security and cultural identity of the country. More than 80% of the martyrs for the country have been Sikhs. But the BJP government at the Centre is turning a blind eye to history.”
Adv Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “Sri Nankana Sahib is the holiest shrine for the Sikhs. There is a desire and an emotional attraction in the sangat for darshan (have a glimpse of) of this holy place. The historic occasion of the centenary of Saka Nankana Sahib is a very special moment for the Sikh sangat. But the GOI is preventing the participation of the sangat in witnessing this historic moment.”
SGPC chief secretary said that the GOI should not take such arbitrary decisions and should respect the religious sentiments of every religion and community.
“GOI should still reconsider this decision and following the letter written by the SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur should show seriousness for the participation of the sangat in the function to be held on February 21 at Nankana Sahib”, said adv Harjinder Singh Dhami.
