In view of the martyrdom days of Sahibzadas, the ShiromaniGurdwaraParbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to prepare simple langar (community kitchen food) at Gurdwara Sahibs from December 15 to 31. During these days, sweets will not be prepared inside the langar and honouring with Siropaos (robe of honour) will be completely prohibited.
It was decided in the SGPC’s executive meeting presided over by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday.
Talking to the media, Dhami said that during the martyrdom fortnight, activities will be carried out as per the spirit of martyrdom days of Sahibzadas. He said during this time, head granthis (priests) of Gurdwaras along with staff will also do prayers jointly in the evening between 4 to 6 pm. He appealed to the Sangat worldwide to implement this decision in every Gurdwara Sahib.
He that the SGPC has also decided to publish booklets in different languages to convey unparalleled history of the martyrdom of Sahibzadas to masses. He said an illustrated booklet on Sahibzadas’ namely ‘NikkianJindanVaddaSaka’ which is being published by SGPC for long time in Punjabi and English, will also be released in Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Urdu. The booklets have been prepared in different languages, which would be released to the Sangat after examination by the scholars.
The SGPC executive has also passed a resolution condemning the efforts of BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP)-led Centre Government to implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country under the policies of suppressing the minorities. This resolution states that BJP’s RajyaSabha member KirodiLalMeena moved a private bill in the Parliament seeking enactment of UCC, which was supported by Union cabinet minister PiyushGoyal, which clarifies that the BJP-led Centre government is moving forward RashtriyaSwayamsewakSangh’s agenda of making India – Hindu Rashtra.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “BJP government wants to suppress minorities in the country, against which the voice will be raised at every level. Through Uniform Civil Code, the rights of the states will be affected besides personal laws and religious beliefs of different communities/religions will be interfered with.” He said the SGPC’s executive has strongly opposed the move for UCC, and has also appealed to the state governments to pass resolutions against it.
SGPC President also questioned the silence of Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on the issue of UCC. He said on the issue of UCC, Iqbal Singh Lalpura has become a part of BJP’s politics instead of representing minorities. He asked Lalpura to either remain in the political post of BJP or represent the minorities in true sense as per the conduct of his constitutional post as Chairperson of NCM.
The SGPC executive has strongly condemned mischievous efforts to challenge the decision of Akal Takht Sahib at Takht Sri HarmandarJi Patna Sahib and incident of burning effigy of Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. As per Harjinder Singh Dhami, the executive has asked those who opposed the decision of Akal Takht Sahib to apologize. He said those who disobeyed edicts of Akal Takht Sahib cannot be true Sikhs.
He also said that the government has been asked to solve the cases of frequent occupation of Sikh shrines in Pakistan. He said recently the matter of encroachment on GurdwaraShaheedGanjBhaiTaru Singh and GurdwaraShaheed Singh Singhnian has come to light, about which letter will be written to Government of Pakistan and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
Meanwhile, SGPC President said that the signature campaign started by SGPC for the release of Sikh prisoners is getting great response from the country and abroad. He said so far, more than 2.40 lakh proformas have been filled by the people at different Gurdwaras and online. He said this campaign will be expanded further.
The executive has also approved the formation of a sub-committee on Central Sikh Museum, World Class Library and Literature House.
It has also been decided to display a portrait of Didar Singh Bains, famous Sikh businessman of the United States of America, at the Central Sikh Museum. Deep grief and condolences were also offered over the sad demise of former media adviser of SGPC and journalist Harbir Singh Bhanwar.
