Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Nov 6: The 546th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour across the Jammu region today.
The main function was organized by District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji Chand Nagar here in which thousands of devout Sikhs drawn from different parts of Jammu region participated to pay their obeisance to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Granth Sahib.
However, taking serious note of the coalition Government towards the demands of the Sikh community and the resolutions passed by it during the last over eight years in this regard, the DGPC did not adopt any resolution during this year’s celebration in protest.
“The Sangat in protest decided not to adopt any resolution in this regard as the coalition Government has failed to settle the demands of the community during last six years of its rule though resolutions were passed every year in this regard on this day,’’ Manjit Singh, joint secretary of DGPC told Excelsior.
Accusing the Government of betrayal he said there was no fun of adopting the resolution at this juncture as this Government is on last legs and it betrayed the community over the years so the Sangat decided not to adopt any resolution as a mark of protest this time.
The Sikh community is demanding compensation for PoJK and West Pak refugees, removal of Municipal Committee shops from Chand Nagar, falling in the precincts of Gurdwara, punishment to people responsible for 1984 riots, implementation of Ansari Commission report on 1989 anti Sikh riots in J&K, establishment of Guru Gobind Singh Chair in Jammu University, naming of Jammu University road as Guru Gobind Singh Ji Marg and establishment of Minority Commission for Sikhs in the State.
During the function Ragi Jatha of Bhai Harjit Singh Ji (Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar Wale), Ragi Jatha Bhai Chand Singh (Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib Sri Anandpur Sahib) and local Ragi Jathas of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Jammu recited the Gurbani Kirtan on this occasion.
Pracharak Giani Kewal Singh (ex-Jathedar Takhat Sri Dhamdama Sahib Bathinda) threw light on the history of Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on the occasion.
All functionaries of the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Jammu, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr Shantmanu, District Development Commissioner Jammu, Ajit Kumar Sahu, S Dalip Singh, S Attar Singh, S Manjit Singh, S Harbans Singh, S Ranjit Singh and Master Avtar Singh were also present on the occasion. Later the Guru Ka Langar was served to devotees.
Another function in connection with celebration of Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was organized at Gurdwara Digiana Ashram, Jammu with full religious fervour and enthusiasm. A large number of devotees attended the function and many Ragies and religious preachers threw light on the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The function was organized under the supervision of Mahant Manjit Singh Ji of Shiromani Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch.
The leaders of various Sikh organizations of J&K also participated including Sikh United Front, Bhai Kanaya Nishkam Sewa Society AISSF, Sikh Naujawan Sabha, Sikh Welfare Society, Guru Granth Sahib Study Circle etc.
Giving his sermons on the occasion, Mahant Manjit Singh Ji said Guru Nanak Dev Ji spread the message of love, equality and humanity and brotherhood among the people. He stressed the people to follow the path of Guru Nanak to serve the needful and work for the betterment of the human beings.
Ex Minister and senior PDP leader, S Rangil Singh, said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji raised the voice against tyrant rulers of that time who used to pressurize and crush the people for their personnel interest. He said Guru Nanak Dev Ji toured entire world and gave the message of peace and brotherhood.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Choudhary also visited the Gurdwara to pay obeisance. He was presented Saropa by Mahant Ji on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Avtar Singh Khalsa general secretary, Sikh United Front J&K strongly condemned State Government for not holding Gurdwara elections for a pretty long time and said that Divisional Commissioner, Jammu who is a non Sikh has been appointed incharge DGPC Jammu which is against the directives of Akal Takhat Sahib.
He said the term of Divisional Commissioner was only six months which has since ended and still the Government failed to hold elections.
The Parkash Diwas was also celebrated at Poonch city and in the Gurdwaras in other towns of the State.
In Poonch main function was held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha Poonch where the Ragi Jathas from Punjab and other States who participated in the function recited Gurbani. On the occasion, Guru Ka Langar was also served to devotees. The DGPC chief Narinder Singh threw light on the teachings of Guru Nanak on the occasion.
The functions were also organized at Gurdwara Khalsa Chowk, Purani Poonch, and Khori Nar Hospital Gurdwara in which large number of devotees took part.
Another grand function was held at Brigade Headquarter, Poonch where the orphan children and inmates of destitute homes were special invitees and they were served the Guru Ka Langar.
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