JAITO: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has celebrated the 100-year centenary of Jaito Morcha today with Panthak Jaho-Jalal.
In this regard, a large number of panthic leaders and representatives of organizations participated in the grand Gurmat ceremony held at Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib here on Wednesday.
After the bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, various speakers addressed the event organized in the huge gathering and emphasized on the need to fight the challenges facing the Sikh Panth with unity in the direction of history.
On this occasion, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh shared his views and said that the Jaito Morcha is an incredible example of national spirit for the restoration of respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib and against interference in the religious affairs of Sikhs. This is the golden page of the glorious history of the Sikh nation, from which we need to take guidance.
He said that even at present, the government is not only interfering in the religious issues of the Sikhs, but there are also moves to weaken the national institutions. Due to the lack of national unity, the anti-cult forces are advancing their plans, which the nation needs to be aware of.
He said that it is very necessary for the Sikh community to get guidance and inspiration from the Jaito front to face the current situation. Talking about the release of the captive Singhs, punishment of the culprits of blasphemy and peasant struggle, he appealed to the entire nation that the nation should work religiously and politically in the light of Gurbani, Sikh principles and history at present.
He said that the lack of Sikh spirit at present is a matter of concern, regarding which national thinking is necessary. Today, it is time to adopt the qualities of passion, dedication and determination learned by getting the inspiration of national spirit from the life of the ancient Sikhs.
During his address at the event, Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Sikhs not only gave martyrdom for their nation, but also played a leading role for the sake of the country and humanity.
He said that this was the reason why the Sikh community was always angry with the governments. The doctrine of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and plans to hurt Sikh institutions were hatched by the governments of the time but they always had to pay lip service.
He said that Sikh history has always been an inspiration for the generations of the nation and the nation has been fighting oppression with full determination.
He appealed to the nation to take inspiration from its history to reject the current government's policy of weakening Sikh institutions. The Shiromani Committee president said that the government does not want the voice of Sikhs to continue to rise for rights and truth. Giving an example of this, Advocate Dhami said that the voice raised by the Shiromani Committee in favor of the farmers is being misused by the government.
Under this, the Shiromani Committee banned the tweets regarding the farmers' struggle. He said that the voice of the nation cannot be silenced with such actions. Advocate Dhami also criticized the Sikh police officer in West Bengal for being a victim of hate violence.
He also remembered the martyrs of Saka Sri Nankana Sahib that happened on this day.
President of Shiromani Akali Dal arrived at the centenary event. Sukhbir Singh Badal in a sharp tone asked the governments to pay close attention to the issues and rightful demands of the Sikh community.
He said that the power of the Khalsa Panth is Gurbani as well as Sikh organizations, but they are being targeted by the governments. The use of Sikh faces to weaken Sikh institutions is a tactic of the government, which needs to be recognised.
He gave the example of Delhi Committee, Haryana Committee and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Management Board and said that the aim of the government agencies is to take away the management of Sikh Guru Ghars from the panthic hands, so as to weaken the panthic voice.
He said that the entire nation should be conscious and fight every government move by uniting for the strength of its institutions.
Condemning the targeting of a Sikh police officer in West Bengal, he said that this turban is fighting on the borders for the country and does not shy away from risking its life for the country if necessary.
They directly asked the governments to stop the alien treatment of Sikhs in the country.
Meanwhile, the Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh said that whenever the darkness of oppression arose, the Sikhs fought without sacrificing their lives.
He said that it is characteristic of the Sikh community that they do not waver even in adverse circumstances, but move forward in the direction of their culture and history. There are many examples of this in history and it is happening even today.
On this occasion, Baba Nihal Singh Harian Velan Tarna Dal members also addressed and paid respect to the martyrs of Jaito front.
Before this, Dhadi Jathe of Giani Tarsem Singh Moranwali and Kavishri Jathe of Bhai Joga Singh Bhagowalia connected the Sangat with Sikh history. Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Hazuri Ragi Jatha performed Gurbani Kirtan and Bhai Sarabjit Singh Ludhiana shared stories. The stage service was performed by Bhai Sarabjit Singh Dhoti. During the event Sukhbir Singh Badal, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami and other prominent personalities jointly released books on the history of Jaito Morche. On this occasion, the families of the martyrs of the Jaito Morche were also honored by the Shiromani Committee.
On this occasion, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Sultan Singh, former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Chief Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh, Junior Member of Shiromani Committee. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, General Secretary Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, senior Akali leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka, Jathedar Gulzar Singh Ranike, S. Mantar Singh Brar, s. Gurpratap Singh Wadala, sSuba Singh Badal, Baba Sewa Singh Khadur Sahib Wale, Baba Nihal Singh Harian Velan, Baba Jeet Singh Jolan Wale, Baba Sarnan Singh Majhail from Budha Dal, Nahar Singh from Dal Baba Bidhi Chand, Baba Avtar Singh Dhattal, Baba Sukhwinder Singh Malakpur, Baba Sohan Singh Bhuriwale, intimate member. Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Mr. Raghbir Singh Saharan Majra, Member Bhai Manjit Singh, Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, S. Sher Singh Mand, S. Kewal Singh Badal, Bibi Gurinder Kaur Bholuwala, S. Amrik Singh Kotshmir, Bibi Joginder Kaur, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, S. Satpal Singh Talwandibhai, s. Gurmeet Singh Booh, s. Darshan Singh Brar, s. Gurpal Singh Gora, s. Hartej Singh Bhullar, Mr. Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, s. Harpal Singh Jallah, S. Sukhharpreet Singh Rode, s. Paramjit Singh Khalsa, Mr. Jagjit Singh Talwandi, Mr. Kulwant Singh Manhan, s. Surjit Singh Tughalwal, s. Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri, Bhai Ajaj Singh Prakhyasi, s. Avtar Singh Vanwala, s. Satwinder Singh Tohra, s. Navtej Singh Kavni, s. Gurmail Singh Sangatpura, s. Harvinder Singh Khalsa, s. Surinder Singh Kishanpura, s. Gurminder Singh Chawla, Bibi Charanjit Kaur, Maharani Pariti Kaur Nabha, Kaka Kanwar Udai Pratap Singh, Baba Bira Singh, Baba Gurbhaj Singh, Baba Satnam Singh Khaparkhedi, Baba Mahinder Singh, Secretary S. Pratap Singh, Mr. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, s. Bijay Singh, Mr. Kuldeep Singh Rode, Prof. Sukhdev Singh, S. Balwinder Singh Khairabad, S. Sukhbir Singh, Mr. Manjit Singh, Manager Sukhraj Singh and a large number of devotees were present.