Dera Baba Nanak, 19 November, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
On the occasion of the Parkash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) of the world’s Guru (master), Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a 17-member Jatha (group) of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) lead by SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur today departed for Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan, which was warmly welcomed by President of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) S. Amir Singh, former president S. Satwant Singh, former president S. Taru Singh, MNA Ramesh Singh Arora and others.
On the arrival at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Bibi Jagir Kaur presented a Rumala to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and expressed her devotion and prayed for the Chardi Kala (high spirit) of the Sikh community. Meanwhile, during the ceremonies at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Jathas of hazuri raagi Bhai Surinder Singh and Bhai Gurkirat Singh of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib connected the Sangat with Gurbani Kirtan.
Addressing during the congregation at Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Bibi Jagir Kaur congratulated the Sangat on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and appealed to follow his teachings. SGPC President announced that raagi jathas would be sent daily by the SGPC at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib. In addition, supply of ration and other necessities will be provided as per demand and requirement. She said that the representative body of the Sikh community, SGPC would co-operate with the PSGPC at all levels and she would continue to visit here often.
Before leaving for Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Bibi Jagir Kaur paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib at Dera Baba Nanak on the Indo-Pakistan border where she was honoured with Siropa (robe of honour). Here Bibi Jagir Kaur was welcomed by General Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal and in-charge of Dera Baba Nanak Ravikaran Singh Kahlon, head of Gurdwara Yadgar Shaheedan Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Agwan, and other prominent personalities.
Bibi Jagir Kaur said that the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib is a bridge of faith of the Sangat and every Sikh has a feeling of paying homage at the holy shrine of Guru Sahib. She said that she is fortunate enough to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib on the occasion of Guru Sahib’s birth anniversary , which is only possible by the Guru’s blessings.
Bibi Jagir Kaur condemned the Government of India and Punjab by saying that the SGPC had sought the approval of 101 Jatha members as per the talks with the concerned government officials but sadly only 20 were approved. She said that confirmation for departure of these 20 members of the SGPC were also clarified this morning (on Friday) only.
SGPC President said that if such treatment has been meted out to the representative body (SGPC) of the Sikh community then what would happen to the general Sangat. She said that the SGPC is managing the historical shrines in India with Panthic spirit but ignoring the Sikh body for paying homage at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib is a painful act. She said that the pilgrimage to this holy place should not be politicized with any party so as not to offend the religious sentiments of the Sangat.
SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur led Jatha also took Gutka Sahib, sets of Rumalas, models of Sri Darbar Sahib, Chaur Sahib, religious literature and Sirpaos to Sri Kartarpur Sahib.
Apart from Bibi Jagir Kaur, those who crossed the border in SGPC Jatha included S. Satwinder Singh Tohra, Ajmer Singh Khera, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, S. Sukhwarsh Singh, S. Navtej Singh Kauni, Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Bibi Gurmeet Kaur, S. Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri, Jathedar Gurzar Singh Ranike, Bibi Kawaljit Kaur, Raagis Bhai Surinder Singh, Bhai Baljinder Singh, Bhai Nachhatar Singh, Bhai Gurkirat Singh, Bhai Jagjit Singh, Bhai Harpreet Singh.
In addition, SGPC senior vice-president S. Surjit Singh Bhitewad and member Bhai Manjit Singh could not accompany the Jatha as their names were not approved. Three members of the Jatha could not pay obeisance at Sri Kartarpur Sahib due to untimely intimation by the government.
On the occasion of welcoming Jatha at Dera Baba Nanak, SGPC members S. Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, Bibi Gurinder Kaur Bholuwal, Bibi Joginder Kaur Bathinda, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, Bibi Joginder Kaur Dharamkot, and OSD to SGPC President Dr Sukhbir Singh, S. Amrik Singh Khalilpur, S. Parmeet Singh Bedi, Manmohan Singh Pakhoke and others were present.
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