AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to hold a protest at the district level amid the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India's independence regarding the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners).
Under this decision, memorandums will be handed over to the Deputy Commissioners in all the districts in Punjab at 10 am on August 13 and SGPC members and employees wearing 'black turbans' will participate in this protest.
This decision was taken by the SGPC's executive committee (EC) in a meeting presided over by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami at its office in Amritsar today.
Giving information in this regard, SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sikhs made over 80 per cent sacrifices for the freedom of the country, but sadly they are being made to feel alienated for the last 75 years.
"An example of this discrimination with Sikhs is non-release of Bandi Singhs who are jailed for the last three decades even after serving more than the life sentences. The constitution of the country gives equal rights to every citizen but the governments' attitude towards the Sikhs has remained negative. It is due to this anti-Sikh attitude that justice is not being given to Sikhs imprisoned for the last 30 years", said S. Harjinder Singh Dhami.
He said on one hand the country is celebrating its 75th anniversary, while on the other, the Sikhs who made the country free, have to struggle for their basic rights .
"It is due to this discriminatory attitude of the governments that the SGPC has decided to hold protest across Punjab on August 13", said S. Harjinder Singh.
The SGPC EC has also strongly condemned the issuance of order by administration of Zila Parishad, Ambala of organising cultural events and hoisting of tricolor at historical Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib under 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign on the occasion of 75th anniversary of country's independence. The SGPC EC warned the Haryana government and Zila Parishad, Ambala to refrain from such decisions by passing a resolution in this regard.
SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Gurdwaras have a unique code of conduct, and only religious congregations as per Sikh Maryada (code of conduct) can be organized there. He said only Khalsa's Nishan Sahib can be hoisted in Gurdwara Sahib. "Although Zila Parishad, Ambala withdrew the decision after the objection of Gurdwara management, the Sikh sentiments have been hurt by this action of administration. He said any disturbance with Sikh and Guru's code of conduct cannot be tolerated and government institutions should not work arbitrarily in such serious matters", said S. Harjinder Singh.
SGPC EC also decided to display the portrait of former SGPC senior vice president and member Jathedar Tota Singh at Central Sikh Museum. Meanwhile, the affairs of management of Gurdwaras and educational institutions managed by SGPC were also discussed.
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami also thanked the organisations and the Sangat, who supported congregations regarding the 100 year centenary of Morcha Guru Ka Bagh. He said that the SGPC thanked the religious organisations of Sikh Panth, Damdami Taksal, Nihung Singh Sampradas, Sabha Societies, Kar Sewa dignitaries, Sewa Panthi, missionary organisations and lakhs of pilgrims, who participated in the centenary congregations.
Present in the meeting included SGPC senior vice president S. Raghujit Singh, general secretary Jathedar Karnail Singh, EC members S. Sarvan Singh, S. Surjit Singh, S. Jarnail Singh, S. Balwinder Singh, S. Harjap Singh, S. Gurinderpal Singh, S. Amarjit Singh, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, Baba Gurpreet Singh, SGPC additional secretary S. Paramjit Singh, S. Pratap Singh, S. Sukhminder Singh, OSD to SGPC President S. Satbir Singh, assistant secretary S. Kulwinder Singh, S. Gurinder Singh, S. Nirvail Singh, S. Satnam Singh.