Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 26: Chairman State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board (SGPB), T S Wazir and leaders of various other Sikh organisations including SAD (Badal) and Akali Dal (Amritsar) today issued appeal to the Sikh community members to create positive environment for electing Panthic and dedicated candidates in the forthcoming DGPC elections.
Addressing a joint press conference here today Mr Wazir, NS Khalsa, Rajinder Singh, Gian Singh and others said that this election is already delayed by seven years and is being held on July 8, 2015. They said that it should be held after five years but now nearly 12 years are over and the community was demanding holding of elections. Some vested interests delayed the polls by dragging Board into litigation.
These community leaders asserted that only united voice and strong leadership can safeguard the religious and other legitimate interests of the minority Sikh community in the State. For this, it was collectively decided to participate in the DGPC elections across the State under the leadership of T S Wazir.
Mr Wazir said for the sake of united face of the community, various senior Sikh leaders here tried their best to go for selection of better candidates with consensus but unfortunately certain agents of anti-Sikh forces and disgruntled elements are creating hurdles. They always tried for capturing religious stages for their personal interests. Consequently, the Sikh community is being neglected in every sphere by the successive Governments in the State.
He disclosed that for the fair and smooth conduct of elections, core committees are being framed for each district. From Jammu district beginning has been made. He said five candidates have been declared for Jammu while 6 others will be announced shortly. Surjit Singh will be candidate from RS Pura-Gadigarh, HS Raina from Digiana, Manmohan Singh from Nanak Nagar, Attar Singh from Gandhi Nagar and Mohinder Singh from Akhnoor.
When asked about any role of Mahant Manjit Singh ji in these elections, Wazir said, “He is a religious figure and is much higher than these petty things. A religious person heading highly revered `Dera Nangali Sahib’ should not have any role in these elections.
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