Amritsar/Delhi, April 18, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) organized a Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) on Monday night at the DDA ground in Hari Nagar, Delhi, dedicated to the 300th birth centenary of the great Sikh general, Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.
The congregation was attended by head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, Buddha Dal head Baba Balbir Singh and prominent personalities. Gurbani Kirtan was performed by raagi jathas (groups) of Bhai Satinderbir Singh, Bhai Simarpreet Singh, and Bhai Manpreet Singh Kanpuri and others while group of dhadi (balladeer) Giani Tarsem Singh Moranwali shared the history of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia with the congregation.
The Panthic (community’s) personalities spoke about the life of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and discussed the current situation and concerns of the Sikh community.
Addressing the congregation, Giani Jagtar Singh said that the Gurus have connected the Sikhs with devotion as well as power, following which the then Sikh Generals fiercely opposed oppression and by fighting the invaders, they closed their way forever. He said that the Sikh general Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was also one of such Sikh warriors who changed the course of the religious history of the world.
On this occasion, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami addressing the congregation congratulated them on the third birth centenary of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. He said Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, who fought against the Mughal rule, is the hero of the Sikh community and we are proud of his achievements. He said that it is not common that he along with his fellow Sikh Generals uprooted Delhi’s throne of tyrannical Mughal rule.
Talking about the current situation, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the anti-Sikh forces are conspiring to break the Sikh institutions, about which, the community needs to be aware. He said that with government intervention, firstly, boards were formed in place of committees at Takhts (Sikh temporal authorities) outside Punjab, then they indirectly possessed the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and now the Sikh power has been weakened by forming a separate Gurdwara panel for Haryana.
The SGPC President also strongly condemned the politics done by the Punjab government by deploying a heavy police force in Gurdwaras on the day of Khalsa Sajna Day (Baisakhi). He said that on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas, the community strives to pay obeisance at the Takhts and take Amritpan (get initiated into Sikh faith), but the atmosphere of terror created by the government in Punjab on this day has hurt the sentiments of the community. He thanked the people of Delhi for the success of the centenary event and invited them to participate with enthusiasm in the main event to be held at Amritsar on May 5.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the principle of Sikh faith is the most secular and the community always prays for Sarbat Da Bhala (welfare of all). He also strongly criticized the false propaganda of painting Sikhs as separatist ideologues by misrepresenting Sri Anandpur Sahib Resolution in NCERT syllabus. He said that Sikhs do not need to get a certificate of patriotism from anyone, because Sikhs have made the most sacrifices for the freedom and defense of the country.
Sukhbir Singh Badal said conspiracies are being hatched to weaken the Sikh institutions, so there is a need to identify the anti-Sikh forces. He said that the centenaries of the great Generals of Sikh community are such occasions when the youth have the desire to know about their history and heritage.
The congregation was also addressed by senior Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder, President of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi unit Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of DSGMC Manjit Singh GK, DSGMC member Bibi Ranjit Kaur. Bhai Sarabjit Singh Dhotian, head preacher, managed the stage.
In the event, the SGPC also set up stalls of religious books besides painting exhibitions related to Sikh history and heritage. The langar (community kitchen food) was arranged for the congregation by Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuri Wale. Prominent personalities were honoured in the event.
Present in the event included Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuri Wale, Baba Bachan Singh Kar Sewa Delhi, Baba Sukhwinder Singh Bhuri Wale, Baba Teja Singh Nirmale, SGPC senior vice-president Baldev Singh Qaimpur, member Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bhai Ram Singh, and Gurminder Singh Matharu, DSGMC member Sukhwinder Singh Babbar, Kuldeep Singh Bhogal, Sukhdev Singh Rayat, Bibi Mandeep Kaur, SGPC secretaries Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Bijai Singh, Simarjit Singh, assistant secretary Tejinder Singh Padda, Kuldeep Singh Rode, manager Sukhraj Singh, in charge of Delhi Sikh Mission Surinderpal Singh Samana, Jasvir Singh Longowal, in-charge Major Singh, Manjit Singh, Kartar Singh, former secretary Ram Singh Bhinder, and the Sangat.
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