Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 18: The Parkash Divas of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj was celebrated with full religious fervour and gaiety today.
Religious functions were held in various Gurudwaras across the State by Sikh Sangat. The main function was held at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Chand Nagar here in which despite the heavy down pour thousands of Sikh devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu city participated.
The function was organized by District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu headed by S Dalip Singh.
Minister of Planning and Development, Labour and Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma and NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana also attended the function.
The Ragi Jatha of Bhai Ravinder Singh Ji from Darbar Sahib Punjab and local Raghi Jathas also participated in the Parkash Divas celebrations and recited Gurubani and bhajans in praise of Guru Maharaj.
Bhai Nachatar Singh, a religious preacher from Punjab also gave the religious discourses and threw light on teachings and supreme sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.
On the occasion, a resolution on the charter of demands was adopted by Sikh Sangat, which reiterated the demands submitted to Government by the community on a number of occasions previously also.
The resolution demanded that Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Parkash Divas be declared as a gazetted holiday under Negotiable Instrument Act, sanction of special package for Sikh refugees of 1947, road from Bikram Chowk to Railway via Jammu University be named as Guru Gobind Singh road, chair be set up on the name of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Jammu University, infrastructure be created for promotion of Punjabi language in schools, minority status be given to members of Sikh community in the State, Sikh community be given representation in SSRB and PSC, the community be given representation in State Council of Ministers, Government should stop interference in religious affairs of Sikhs, election of DGPCs be held immediately, the people responsible for killing of members of Sikh community in 1989 anti Sikh riots be punished and Ansari Commission report be made public.
The resolution expressed concern over non -inclusion of a member from Sikh community in the Council of Ministers and alleged that this indicated that the Government was not bothered for the community. They warned agitation in case the demands of the Sikhs were not settled especially against delaying the release of Ansari Commission report.
Addressing the congregation, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra described unity in diversity hallmark of J&K’s pluralistic ethos. He also eulogized the role of Sikh community in socio-economic field.
Mr Sadhotra called on collective efforts for steering the state to the pinnacles of development, progress, peace and prosperity. He said Government is committed to upliftment of the people of all the three regions of the State, irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
Referring to the demands put forth by the Sikh Sangat, the Minister assured that he will project all these issues before the Chief Minister as a representative and an advocate of the Community. He also assured the gathering that the Government is seized of the problems faced by the people and all necessary measures are underway to mitigate their grievances.
Earlier, Mr Sadhotra, Jugal Kishore Sharma and provincial president NC, Jammu Devender Singh Rana were presented Saroopas by the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee. They also joined the Ardas and paid obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib.
The resolution was moved by Dilip Singh, president DGPC and it was seconded by Sikh leader Surinder Singh.
Among others who addressed the gathering included Manjit Singh general secretary DGPC and its treasurer S Attar Singh.
The Parkash Utsav was also celebrated at Digiana Ashram near here under the supervision of Mahant Manjeet Singh Ji of Shiromani Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch.
A large number of Sikh devotees drawn from different areas attended the function along with Ragi Pracharaks and representatives of various Sikh organizations including Bhai Kanaya Nishkam Sewa Society, J&K, Shiromani Youth Akali Dal and AISSF.
On the occasion Ragis and Pracharaks threw light on the life of the Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Mahant Manjit Singh also spoke on the occasion. He said Guru Maharaj protected the Hindu dharam to safeguard the entire nation.
He said the Guru Maharaj spread the message of peace, love, brotherhood across the country and raised the voice against the cruelty and injustice.
On the occasion S Mohinder Singh chief organizer Bhai Kanya Nishkam Sewa Society urged the coalition Government to give representation to Sikhs in State Cabinet as during the last four years the community has met the injustice through the hands of the Government.
Another function was held at Gurudwara village Rara in Vijaypur. The function was organized by the Management Committee of the Gurdwara.
On the occasion former Minister and Congress leader S Manjit Singh was presented Saropa.
Addressing the function, he appealed the youth to follow the footsteps of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.
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