Amritsar, March 29, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Several important resolutions regarding Sikh and Punjab issues were passed during the general house budget session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Resolutions presented by the SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami included issues of release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners),
demand for the arrest of Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his follower Honeypreet in Bargari sacrilege case of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, opposition to government interference in the management of Gurdwara Sahibs, and demanding attention to preservation of Sikh heritage in Pakistan.
In a resolution passed regarding Bandi Singhs, it was said that the government’s ignorance towards the release of Sikhs detained in jails for three decades is a big discrimination against the community in their own country.
Injustice is being done to the Sikh prisoners by ignoring their human rights because they have served double the punishments than life imprisonment within the scope of the Constitution.
In this resolution, the Centre government’s negative attitude towards the high-level five-member committee formed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib was also termed as a non-serious approach towards the supremacy and dignity of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Through the resolution, the Centre government was urged to respect Sri Akal Takht Sahib and open dialogue through the five-member committee on the issue of Bandi Singhs and not force the Sikh community to walk on the path of struggle.
A resolution demanded the immediate arrest of Dera Sirsa head rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his follower Honeypreet in the sacrilege case of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari in 2015.
The resolution said that it has become clear from the revelations made by accused Pradeep Kaler, a follower of Dera Sirsa, in the Chandigarh court, that the main conspirators behind this anti-Sikh phenomenon are Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim and Honeypreet.
It was demanded from the Punjab government to take the Dera Sirsa chief into custody through the court process and arrest Honeypreet, immediately, to give justice to the Sikhs.
The struggle being done by the farmers of the country for their rightful demands was also strongly supported through a resolution.
In this resolution, the Haryana government’s actions to stop the farmers from going to Delhi, firing rubber bullets and tear gas shells in large numbers, use of water cannons and cane-charging, and the Punjab government’s collusion with the Centre to allow the Haryana government to commit atrocities on farmers in Punjab jurisdiction was condemned as an inhuman action.
In another resolution, the government’s interference in the institutions of the Sikh community was strongly condemned. The resolution warned that governments should refrain from any interference in Sikh institutions.
One year’s extension of the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on Bhai Amritpal Singh and other Sikhs detained in Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail was also strongly condemned through a resolution.
In this resolution, it was said that no such crime has been committed by these youths and that they should be locked up in prisons thousands of kilometers away outside the state after being labeled as anti-national.
Because of human rights, this is not an appropriate action. In the resolution, the Punjab government was asked to abolish the NSA imposed on these youths detained in Dibrugarh Jail and to protect their human rights by transferring them to the jails of Punjab.
The SGPC general house session welcomed the announcement made by the new Chief Minister of Punjab in Pakistan, Maryam Nawaz, regarding the teaching of Punjabi in the schools of the province and also asked the Government of Pakistan to free the properties of historical Gurdwara Sahibs in the country from illegal occupation.
It was said that a large number of Sikh heritage sites exist in Pakistan as signs of the Gurus and their proper maintenance and preservation is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan. The SGPC resolution also expressed the commitment of all kinds to support the maintenance and preservation of the Sikh heritage in Pakistan.
The general house session, through a resolution, demanded immediate resolution of the pending cases and disputes related to the historical places of the Sikh community in the states outside Punjab from the Government of India and the respective states.
Among them are the historical shrines related to Sri Guru Nanak Dev, i.e. Gurdwara Gian Godri Sahib Har Ki Pauri Haridwar (Uttrakhand), Gurdwara Dongmar Sahib and Gurdwara Sahib Chungthang (Sikkim),
Gurdwara Bavali Matth, Mangu Matth and Punjabi Matth Jagannathpuri (Odisha) and Gurdwara Taposthan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mechuka (Arunachal Pradesh), regarding which voices are being raised continuously by Sikh community.
Through the resolution, it was demanded that the government adopt a meaningful approach regarding the said shrines situated as memorials of the Sikh Gurus so that the Sikh community can maintain their holy shrines as per their religious and Panthic sentiments.
Through a resolution, the Punjab government was asked to take appropriate steps to prevent drug addiction, expressing great concern over the phenomenon of drugs in Punjab, the state that resides in the name of the Gurus.
Through the resolution, an appeal was made to the people of Punjab especially the youth to organize against the deadly phenomenon of drugs and take responsibility for stopping it.
The general house session, in a resolution, asked the governments to fulfill their responsibilities to prevent organized conspiracy and hate propaganda against Sikhs on social media platforms.
It was said that some people are continuously running false propaganda against Sikhs. Social media is being used as a weapon against the community to spread hatred and discord among communities but governments are watching silently.
To ensure respect for all religions in the country, the Centre government was asked to look into such social media accounts and take strict action.
Through this resolution, the Sikh community was also appealed that while making any comments on religious and community matters on social media, it must be kept in mind that the expression does not hurt the Sikh history, principles, Rehat Maryada (code of conduct) and also that the sentiments of anyone are not hurt.
