Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan and Union Minister in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Jitendra Singh paid rich tributes to Baba Bandha Singh Bahadur, the first Sikh general who laid down his life putting an end to cruelty of tyrant rulers, punishing the guilty and cruel rulers and fighting for the human rights, upliftment and strengthening poor etc at a function here today which was organized to mark the 300th matrydom of this great warrior.
Paying tributes to a Baba Bandha Singh Bahadur Mr Paswan said this great warrior sacrificed his life for a supreme cause and entire nation is proud of him. On the demand of Jammu and Kashmir Gurdwara Parbandhak Board, regarding installing of statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur at Kunjwani Chowk, building of his memorial at Lakhanpur and establishment of an educational institute on his name in Rajouri, Mr Paswan said these demands will be looked into as Indian democracy has a federal structure and hence there can be some problems as Centre can’t make announcement over these demands on its own.
“However, we will utilize our entire energy to get these demands settled”, he said. He also recalled the role played by his organization in providing security to members of Sikh community during anti Sikh riots in 1984.
In his address Dr Jitendra Singh said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s yatra has started from Reasi which also falls in his Lok Sabha Constituency and so it was his dharma to be present here to receive the yatra.
He said when people are behind the personnel interest no one could imagine that any one can sacrifice himself as well as his entire family for upholding dharma. Without naming Congress, he said those who were responsible for 1984 riots are accusing BJP of being against minorities.
On the demands of the Sikh Community he said the proposal will be kept before the State Government and strong plea will be made for fulfillment of all the demands.
Earlier the Saropa was presented to Mr Paswan, Dr Jitendra Singh, senior BJP leader R P Singh, BJP general Secretary (org) Ashok Kaul, RSS leaders Brig (retd) Suchet Singh and Parshotam Dadichi, Sanjay Saraf president Yuva Lok Janshakti and others by TS Wazir Chairman State Gurudwara Parbandhak Board and its other representatives.
Chairman of the Board also read the memorandum which was presented to two Union ministers. The memorandum demanded construction of a memorial of Baba at Lakhanpur entry point, establishing of an educational institute at Rajouri the birth place of Baba and installation of Statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur at Kunjwani Chowk.
The memorandum said conceding of these demands will be a tribute to this great warrior.
After the yatra reached Hari Niwas it was given a rousing reception by members of Sikh Community. It was received by two Union ministers, senior BJP and RSS leaders and prominent citizens.
The memorandum said that we have failed to honour and recognize the sacrifices of this great warrior and it is high time for the Government now to make an announcement in this regard and fulfill the demands.
It said former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had promised to set up educational institute at Rajouri on the name of this great warrior and also built a memory gate at Lakhanpur on his name.
The yatra which started from Reasi Dera of Baba Bandha Singh Bahadur will have a night stay at Kathua today and it will leave for Baba’s Gurdwara Mehroli Delhi tomorrow where 300 years back on this day this great Sikh warrior laid down his life for a great cause.
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