Phagwara/Amritsar, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Miri Piri Khalsa March on Friday moved into its third phase, departing from Gurdwara Sri Sukhchainana Sahib in Phagwara for its next destination, Gurdwara Thamm Ji Sahib at Kartarpur in Jalandhar district, amid Sikh religious traditions and the chanting of jaikaras.
The march was attended by Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami and Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, besides other prominent personalities and a large number of devotees.
During the religious congregation organised on the occasion, Giani Rajdeep Singh shared Sikh history with the gathering and urged devotees to embrace Gurbani and the Sikh way of life.
Addressing the gathering, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the primary objective of the Miri Piri Khalsa March was to protect Punjab’s youth from drugs and connect them with the Guru.
He recalled that Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled to distant regions during his four Udasis, spreading the message of truth, connecting humanity with the Almighty and guiding people towards the path of the Guru Shabad while challenging superstitions and discrimination prevalent in society.
Giani Gargaj said the Miri Piri Khalsa March was travelling through different parts of Punjab to convey the teachings of the Gurus and the fundamental principles of Sikhism to the people.
He described drug abuse as one of the biggest challenges facing Punjab and said reports of young people falling victim to drugs in villages were deeply distressing. He called for the social boycott of those involved in selling drugs and urged families, society and the Sikh community to work together to protect the younger generation.
He also expressed concern over the growing trend of Punjabis permanently settling abroad, saying Punjab was the land of the Gurus and the community had a deep connection with its soil and heritage.
Giani Gargaj stressed the need to connect children with Gursikhi, Gurbani and the Punjabi language. He said safeguarding children’s kes and the five Ks was a collective responsibility.
He further said that if any educational institution attempted to deprive children of the Kara or any other Kakar, the community should oppose such efforts through constitutional and peaceful means. He also urged the gathering to collectively counter forces that, according to him, were opposed to Sikh interests.
SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the Miri Piri Khalsa March had been initiated to uphold the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, propagate Sikh principles and encourage youngsters to stay away from drugs.
Dhami said thousands of devotees had taken inspiring pledges during the march to take Amrit, maintain their kes, adopt bani and bana, and live their lives according to Gurbani. He said the growing awareness among devotees about making the Miri Piri principle the foundation of their lives reflected the achievement of the march’s objectives.
He said the demand to protect Punjab’s youth from drugs was emerging from villages across the state. While describing prevention of drug abuse as a responsibility of governments, Dhami questioned the government’s functioning over what he termed the open sale of drugs.
He said the Khalsa March was encouraging young people to stay away from drugs and connect with the Guru, adding that many youngsters were taking pledges to do so. He said the overwhelming response received by the march after passing through hundreds of villages showed the continued connection of Punjab’s people with the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
During the programme, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Giani Tek Singh honoured the Panj Pyare and Nishanchi Singhs with Guru Bakshish Siropas. Giani Gurminder Singh performed the service of placing the sacred saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the Palki Sahib.
A large number of devotees participated in the march, while the police administration offered a ceremonial salute in honour of Guru Sahib. At various points along the route, devotees welcomed the march with showers of flowers.
Among those present were SGPC junior vice-president Baldev Singh Kalyan, SGPC members Paramjit Singh Raipur, Bibi Davinder Kaur Kalra and Gurdial Singh Kalra, former member Harjinder Singh Lallian, senior Akali leader Jarnail Singh Wahad, constituency in-charge Ranjit Singh, Phillaur constituency in-charge Baldev Singh Khehra, additional secretary Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, deputy secretary Sukhbir Singh, Jarnail Singh Behal, Rajinder Singh, Baba Amarjit Singh Harkhowal, Mohan Lal Banga, Baba Gurbachan Singh of Kutia Nirmal Ashram, Baba Baldev Singh Walla, Baba Satnam Singh Majitha Road, in-charge Rajwinder Singh Joga, Gurbhag Singh, head preacher Bhai Jagdev Singh, Bhai Harjit Singh, Gurdwara Sri Sukhchainana Sahib manager Narinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh Butter, Mohandeep Singh and Bhai Balkar Singh, besides members of the sangat.
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