Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Amritsar, The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has announced to take part in the Akali Dal’s statewide protest against the Congress government tomorrow.
It is probably for the first time that the Sikh body has come out openly in support of the SAD.
SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar said the telecast of liquor ads and other objectionable scenes on LED screens installed at the Heritage Street leading up to the Golden Temple had hurt the sentiments of the community.
He said he was compelled to join the protest as the government consistently maintained a passive attitude towards Sikh issues.
Badungar alleged that the properties of several gurdwaras were being usurped by ruling party leaders and their supporters at the behest of the government.
Without naming Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Badungar said a minister was issuing improper statements against Sikh heritage. Recently, Sidhu described Virasat-e-Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib as a “white elephant” owing to its high maintenance costs.
Badungar said the “Mahan Kosh” was distorted and misinterpreted, which had also hurt the Sikh sentiments.
Relief for pilgrims
The SGPC announced compensation for the pilgrims who were injured in a mishap en route to Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib in Tarn Taran yesterday.
It announced Rs50,000 each for the seriously injured and Rs25,000 each for the other injured. The pilgrims had sustained burn injuries when the truck in which they were travelling came in contact with high-tension wires. The committee also offered free treatment in an SGPC-run hospital.
