Patiala, September 24, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today said the need of the hour was to adopt the philosophy of former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra and imbibe the late leader’s spirit of sacrifice for the quom.
Speaking at a congregation held to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the former SGPC president, SAD Working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder said “all actions of Sardar Tohra were dictated by whether they were good for the quom or not”. He said throughout his life the late leader had fought a relentless battle to secure the rights of the Sikh community and was known as an epitome of simplicity.
Asserting that Sardar Tohra would have never gone with the present day actions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr Bhunder said “Sikhs fought against the Mughals and the British and even helped in securing freedom for the country and even now guard the frontiers”.
He said despite this they were facing discrimination with their religious institutions under attack. “We have witnessed the government takeover of the Sri Hazur Sahib Shrine board as well as the creation of a separate Gurdwara Committee for Haryana by breaking the SGPC. Efforts are also on to weaken Sikh institutions which have hurt the sentiments of the entire community”.
Making a clarion call to all Akalis including the Sudhar Lehar faction to speak against Delhi instead of speaking against each other, Mr Bhunder said “we need to confront Delhi to secure our rights and for that we need to understand who our friend is and who the enemy is”.
Speaking on the occasion, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said a needless controversy was being raised as to why the SGPC had organized the function to mark the 100 birth anniversary of the late leader. He said this decision had been taken by the institution’s Executive and was in keeping with the sentiments of the community.
Mr Dhami recounted his association with Sardar Tohra while speaking how the late leader had left an indelible mark on him through his righteous conduct. He also spoke on how the late leader had always laid emphasis on ‘amrit sanchar’ and inspired youth towards Sikhism.
Those present on the occasion included Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Iqbal Singh Jhundan, Gurcharan Singh Grewal, N K Sharma, Gupreet Singh Rajukhanna, Amarinder Singh Bazaz, Winnerjit Singh Goldy, Sarabjit Singh Jhinjher, Surjit Singh Garhi, Amit Rathi & Jagdeep Singh Cheema. EOM
