SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB: On the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Vaisakhi), Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, paid obeisance today at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib. Following this, Nayab Singh Saini met with Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, at his residence office here.
During the meeting, Jathedar Gargajj held a cordial discussion with the Haryana CM about resolving issues concerning Sikhs residing in Haryana.
The Jathedar honoured CM Nayab Singh Saini with a shawl, Sikh literature, and a photo of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
Regarding the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) issue, Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj advised CM Nayab Singh Saini that the state government should promptly complete the process concerning the elected members and hand over the management of Gurdwaras in line with the sentiments of the Sikh community..
He emphasized that even though the Sikh community, on the whole, does not agree with a separate Haryana Gurdwara Committee apart from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, now that elections have taken place, the management should be handed over according to the community’s wishes, and government interference in Gurdwaras should be ended.
Jathedar Gargajj further stated that the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 is still in effect, and therefore, all SGPC constituencies in Haryana should remain intact, as this is a matter connected to Sikh heritage.
He also urged the Haryana CM to take special initiatives to promote the Punjabi language in the state.
He said that government offices in Haryana should hire and appoint employees who can read and write Punjabi as needed. If a Haryana resident submits any letter or complaint in Punjabi, it should be duly accepted. He also recommended teaching Punjabi to children from the beginning in Haryana's schools.
Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj asked CM Nayab Singh Saini to ensure that Sikh candidates are not asked to remove their religious articles (Kakaars) in any competitive exams or tests in the state.
He also informed the Haryana CM about the public welfare efforts being undertaken by the SGPC through the Miri-Piri Medical College and Hospital in Shahabad Markanda, Kurukshetra.
He said this hospital and college were started by the Sikh organization to provide healthcare services to local residents, and that the Haryana state government should fully support the SGPC and its administrators in this initiative.
CM Nayab Singh Saini listened attentively to the matters raised by Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj and assured full cooperation and necessary action.
On this occasion, SGPC member Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, manager of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Malkit Singh, additional manager Hardev Singh and information officer Harpreet Singh were also present.