AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee commemorated the martyrdom of Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Speaking to the media on this occasion, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said that the martyrdom of Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke about 31 years ago was the peak of the inhuman act of the then government. In this era, killing thousands of innocent Sikh youths is a black stain on the name of democracy, which can never be washed away. Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib said that the Shiromani Committee has been asked to take action in the case of the murder of Jathedar Kaunke because the killers of Sikhs must be given exemplary punishment.
Giani Raghbir Singh said about the prayer ceremony organized by the Shiromani Committee regarding Jathedar Kaunke that it is a good thing to remember our martyrs and warriors.
On this occasion, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh, Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Jathedar Kaunke's wife Bibi Gurmail Kaur along with a large number of leading personalities of the Panth attended.
On this occasion, the raagi jatha of Bhai Kulwinder Singh of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib performed Gurbani Kirtan and prayers were offered by Bhai Baljit Singh.
Bhai Kaunke's wife Bibi Gurmail Kaur and family members Bibi Pawanjit Kaur, Ajit Singh and former Sarpanch Manjinder Singh was honored with Siropao.
While addressing the sangat , , Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami appealed to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to consider giving honor to Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke as a national martyr in the gathering of Panj Singh Sahibs.
Advocate Dhami said that Jathedar was a devout Gursikh and devoted to Sikhism, whose sacrifice the nation will always respect.
He said that like Jathedar Kaunke, more than 25 thousand Sikh youths were martyred by the police at that time, about which Sikh activist Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, who worked for human rights, exposed the true face of the government to the people. He said that every killer of Sikh youth should be punished, so that their families and Sikh sentiments can get relief.
During the prayer ceremony, SGPC General Secretary Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Senior Member S. Khushwinder Singh Bhatia, Bibi Hardeep Kaur Khokh, Member Bhai Manjit Singh Bhurakohna, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, Sr. Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke, Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Bhai Ram Singh, Sr. Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Mr. Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri, s. Satwinder Singh Tohra, Bhai Amarjit Singh Bandala, S. Gurbachan Singh Karmunwala, s. Surjit Singh Tughalwal, s. Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal, Advocate Jasbir Singh Ghuman, Mr. Baltej Singh Khokh, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Secretary of the Shiromani Committee. Pratap Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, Additional Secretary. Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, s. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, s. Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Mr. Bijay Singh, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Buttar, Mr. Tejinder Singh Padda, Mr. Preetpal Singh, manager of Sri Darbar Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, leader of Dal Khalsa. Kanwarpal Singh, Mr. Narain Singh Chauda, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Manjit Singh Bhoma, S. Upkar Singh Sandhu, Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala, S. Sangat including Satnam Singh Manawan were present.