October 27, Amritsar, 2022 (Yes Punjab News)
The need for Panthic unity has been emphasized in view of the current situation during the main congregation held by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall, regarding 100 year centenary of Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) Sri Panja Sahib. During the congregation, various speakers invited all sides to come together under the leadership of Akal Takht Sahib for the strengthening of Panthic institutions.
On this occasion, a large number of leaders of Sikh organizations including Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh were present. On the occasion of the beginning of the centenary event, the hazuri raagi jathas of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib performed Gurbani Kirtan and the Panth famous kathawachak (discourse narrator) Bhai Pinderpal Singh shared detailed views about the history of Saka Sri Panja Sahib. Before this, bhog (concluding ceremony) of Sri Akhand Path Sahib was held and prayers were offered for all the martyrs of this Saka.
Speaking on the occasion, Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh said that the Sikh community has the honour that its institutions were established by the Gurus themselves. He said that the Sikh Gurus established institutions including Gurdwara, Sangat (congregation), Pangat (institution of dining together in community kitchen) and Akal Takht Sahib, the central axis to connect the Sikhs, which is an achievement of Sikh history. He said that apart from this, some institutions were created by the Khalsa Panth, in which the SGPC is important, for the establishment of which more than 500 Sikhs were martyred. He said the martyrdom of Bhai Karam Singh and Bhai Pratap Singh, the martyrs of Saka Panja Sahib, were also for the establishment and strengthening of the SGPC.
Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said, “Today these institutions are being challenged at the behest of the government. Whether there were Mughal or British governments or the present government, they were never in favour of Sikh Qaum (community). Therefore, the Sikh community itself has to come forward to strengthen its institutions.”
The Jathedar questioned that those who are talking about making the SGPC and other institutions free, can they tell that the management taken with government intervention will remain with them? He expressed apprehension that under the slogan of liberating institutions, their management should not go into the hands of the government. He also referred to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Takht Sri Patna Sahib Committee and Sri Hazur Sahib Board in this regard.
Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib said that today the Panth needs a serious approach about its institutions. He said that Akal Takht Sahib is the highest temporal authorit of Panth for which every Sikh should come forward for strengthening it. He also asked the Shiromani Akali Dal leaders to work to strengthen the Sikh institutions under the leadership of Akal Takht Sahib. He said that for the Panthic Sewa, the Sikh spirit is of utmost importance and this Panthic spirit should be inculcated in every leader of Panthic organizations through training camps. He also appealed to the Sikh community to be aware of the anti-Panth forces.
On this occasion, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sakas (massacres) and Morchas (fronts) of Sikh history are a source of inspiration for determination towards Sikh faith and among them the Saka Panja Sahib is very important. He said that the old Sikhs resisted oppression with the power of Gurbani during these massacres and set examples for the new generation. He said that at present, in the race for comfort, we are going away from Gurbani and history. He said that it is very important to work with unity for the strengthening of Panthic and Sikh culture by taking guidance from our history. Referring to the present challenges facing the community, he said the governments are not giving justice to the Sikhs. The cases of release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners) and the separate Gurdwara management body for Haryana are being complicated deliberately.
“Soon a movement will be started by the SGPC at the village-level regarding these issues. The SGPC is continuously working for Panth in the light of Sikh traditions and its continuity will be maintained”, said Advocate Dhami.
He thanked the prominent personalities and Sangat who attended the centenary congregation.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the Sikh community is known for Simran (devotion to Akal Purakh), Sewa (voluntary service), and Shahadat (martyrdom) and when difficulties arise anywhere in the world, Sikhs are the first to reach out to serve. He said Shaheed Bhai Karam Singh and Bhai Pratap Singh related to Saka Panja Sahib also gave their martyrdom while serving for Langar (community kitchen). He said that in the past, the mahants (priest) did things contrary to the Maryada (code of conduct) in the Gurdwaras, due to which our forefathers established the SGPC and formed the Shiromani Akali Dal for Sikh political power by giving great martyrdoms. He said today, for 100 consecutive years, these two Panthic organizations are working in a democratic manner for the Chardi Kala (rising spirit) of the Sikh community. He said that today there is a need to be careful of those so-called Panthic people who are working to weaken the institutions of the community at the behest of government forces and agencies. He said that plans have been prepared by these people to weaken the SGPC by establishing a separate Gurdwara management body for Haryana.
Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib to unite all the sides and take the lead in countering the anti-Sikh attacks. On this occasion, he expressed his commitment that whatever programs will be prepared by the Panth under the leadership of Akal Takht Sahib, they will be fully supported by the Akali Dal. Speaking on the issue of the release of Bandi Singhs, Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the accused of rape and murder of the Prime Minister are being released in the country, while keeping the Sikhs in jail for a long time is unfair to the Sikh community. He termed the centenary events being celebrated by the SGPC as motivating for the young generation.
Those who addressed the Sangat from stage included Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, head of Damdami Taksal; Baba Balbir Singh, head of Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal; Baba Avtar Singh Sursingh, head of Dal Baba Bidhichand; Padma Shri Baba Sewa Singh Khadur Sahib; Baba Teja Singh Khudda Kurala Nirmale and senior Akali leader Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra. They said that the history of Saka Panja Sahib is a commitment to provide services to the Sikh panth, under the guidance of which the entire Sikh community should be committed to the Chardi Kala of Panth. SGPC member Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla managed the stage during the event.
On this occasion, all the speakers also congratulated the Sangat of Gurtagaddi Diwas of Guru Granth Sahib being celebrated today.
Meanwhile, a book on the history of Saka Panja Sahib, published by the Sikh Itihas Research Board, was also released and prominent personalities were honoured by the SGPC.
A large number of SGPC members and Panthic personalities were present in the centenary congregation.
Four important resolutions passed during centenary congregation
Four important resolutions were passed by the SGPC during the centenary congregation of Saka Panja Sahib. These resolutions were presented by SGPC members Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Ajmer Singh Khera, Gurmeet Singh Booh and Bibi Gurpreet Kaur and accepted by the congregation amid Jaikaras – Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal.
In the first resolution, paying respect and reverence to the martyrs of Saka Panja Sahib, commitment was expressed to continue working in the direction of history and traditions for the propagation and flourishing of the Sikh faith. In the second resolution, while severely criticizing the Government’s biased policy on the release of Bandi Singhs, it was announced to start a movement at the village level in this regard. Through the resolution, it was said that while continuing the movement for the release of Bandi Singhs, the struggle will be organized by getting the forms filled from a large number of people and these forms will be presented to the Governor of Punjab. Along with this, a big gathering of Panthic people including SGPC members will be called at Chandigarh.
In the third resolution, it was demanded from the Government of India to pass a bill in the Parliament against the separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) (HSGM) Act, 2014, opposing the move to break up the SGPC. It was said that the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 is in force, so the government should repeal the HSGM Act and the existing management under the Act 1925 should be maintained.
In the fourth resolution, calling the HSGM Act, 2014 as unconstitutional and illegal, it was announced to intensify the protest movement against it and to organise Akhand Path Sahib at the district level and call a large gathering for the community’s unity and struggle.
CLICK HERE to like YesPunjab.com Facebook Page for regular updates
