Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Amritsar, November 18
Amid flak over the 328 missing Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroops’, the SGPC today commemorated its centenary at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in the Golden Temple complex.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal honours SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple complex on Tuesday. Vishal Kumar
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh attempted to justify the SGPC’s action taken against the misappropriation of ‘saroops’ and also tried to make political pitch for the SAD with its president Sukhbir Singh Badal present on the dais.
Taking a dig at the dissident Akalis, the Jathedar said the SAD was the ‘son’ of the SGPC and no force could break this relationship. Since 2004, the SAD has established its supremacy over the SGPC, post the era of Gurcharan Singh Tohra.
He said, “How can the SGPC be held liable for the missing ‘saroops’ when the misappropriation was done by some of its officials and staff members? The issue is being given a wrong twist of sacrilege whereas it is a matter of corruption and administrative lapses. Required action has already been taken in the matter and officials responsible have been dismissed or suspended,” Giani Harpreet Singh said. Recalling the episode of locking of SGPC’s Teja Singh Samundri Hall office twice by protesting Sikh outfits, he asked the SAD workers to don an ‘aggressive’ approach against such anti-Panthic forces.
On the occasion, Sukhbir said, “When we form the government, our focus will be on health and education. Preserving the great Sikh and Punjab heritage will be another focus area. But all this can only be achieved if we remain united and defeat those who want to divide us.”
Describing the Congress as the ‘worst enemy of Sikhs’, he said, “Since the founding of the Khalsa more than 320 years ago, the Sikhs have faced three enemies: The Mughals, the British and the Congress. Ahmad Shah Abdali and Indira Gandhi were responsible for the demolition of the Akal Takht.”
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said they would establish an advisory committee to resolve grievances of Sikhs worldwide.
SGPC has lost credibility: Brahmpura
SAD (Taksali) president Ranjit Singh Brahmpura on Tuesday said the SGPC had lost its credibility under the influence of the Badal clan. “There was no reason to make merry on the centenary year of the SGPC. The existing SGPC body has lost the trust of every section of society. SAD has misused the SGPC for political gains,” he said.
SAD convention postponed: Dhindsa
Chandigarh: SAD (Democratic) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday said the convention to mark the 100th anniversary of the SAD, which was scheduled to be held on Dec 13 in Moga with attendance of senior party leaders, had been postponed. Dhindsa said the decision was taken owing to Covid and Centre’s inability to come up with a solution to the farmers’ agitation.
