AMRITSAR: The meeting of the Interim Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee held today under the chairmanship of Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, strongly criticized the policy of evasion being adopted by the central government in the case of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and other captive Sikhs and termed this phenomenon as injustice to the minority Sikhs.
In this regard, a resolution was passed and a demand was made to the Honorable Supreme Court to order the Central Government to take an immediate decision regarding the commutation of the sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana so that Bhai Rajoana, who has been serving his sentence in the gallows since 2007, can get justice.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has conveyed to him that the Shiromani Committee should withdraw its petition filed regarding him and the Central Government should be asked to take an immediate decision because now he does not understand any difference between life and death.
He said that the Shiromani Committee respects the views of Bhai Rajoana and his determination and chardi kala displayed in the gallows for a long time is like an inspiration for the nation.
Advocate Dhami said that the government should not back down from its decisions and should fully implement the notification made during the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019. Along with this, the Supreme Court's instruction to the Central Government to take a decision in the case of Bhai Rajoana should also not be ignored.
He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in this matter and show a big heart and take a decision regarding Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana according to the Sikh sentiments.
The SGPC President said that the Sikh community is demanding justice from the government in the case of the Bandi Singhs and not begging.
He said that the SGPC will also seek time to meet the Union Home Minister on this matter, for which a Secretary-level officer will be sent to the Home Ministry.
Talking about the suggestions sought for the service rules to be decided regarding the appointment and retirement of Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Advocate Dhami said that a large number of suggestions have been received so far and are coming continuously.
He appealed to the Sikh world to send maximum suggestions in this regard to the Shiromani Committee. Especially the leading organizations of the Panth should take it on priority so that the Sikh organization Shiromani Committee can complete the process of making a common rule book according to common opinion and sentiment.
He said that the time for sending suggestions has been kept till April 20 and after this a committee will be appointed and the suggestions received will be read. He said that this is a very important task which requires long deliberations.
Advocate Dhami congratulated the 13, 258 devotees who took Amrit Sanchar at the Takht Sahibs and Amrit Sanchar ceremonies organized in different zones on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas Baisakhi and announced to further intensify this religious propaganda movement. He said that the centenary celebrations of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib will be started from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal Amritsar on April 18 and arrangements will be made to organize Gurmat Samagam, Amrit Sanchar, Nagar Kirtan and seminars etc. at various places dedicated to this. He said that a special amount has been kept in the Shiromani Committee budget in connection with this centenary. Advocate Dhami also said that the Interim Committee has also approved a 4 percent increase in the dearness allowance of the employees of the Shiromani Committee. During the meeting, Shiromani Committee member S. Randhir Singh Cheema and Baba Man Singh, the head of the Nihang organization Guru Nanak Dal Marianwala, were mourned by passing away.
In addition to SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, the meeting was attended by Senior Vice President S. Raghujit Singh Virk, Junior Vice President S. Baldev Singh Kalyan, General Secretary S. Sher Singh Mandwala, Chief Secretary S. Kulwant Singh Mannan, Interim Committee Member Bibi Harjinder Kaur, S. Surjit Singh Tugalwal, S. Paramjit Singh Khalsa, S. Surjit Singh Garhi, S. Baldev Singh Qaimpur, S. Sukhharpreet Singh Rode, S. Jaswant Singh Pudain, S. Paramjit Singh Raipur, Member S. Baljit Singh Jalal Usman, S. Gurnam Singh Jassal, OSD S. Satbir Singh Dhami, Secretary S. Partap Singh, Eng: Sukhminder Singh, S. Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Personal Secretary S. Shahbaz Singh, Deputy Secretary S. Jaswinder Singh Jassi, S. Gurnam Singh, S. Harbhajan Singh Wakta, Legal Advisor S. Amanbir Singh Siali, Ex. S. Jatinder Singh etc. are included.