- SGPC sub-offices to be opened in different countries & Delhi
- In place of Veer Bal Diwas, Government of India should announce martyrdom day of Sahibzadas as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas: Advocate Dhami
- Important decisions taken during SGPC Executive Committee meeting
Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to establish 'International Sikh Advisory Board', which will comprise of Sikh representatives from different countries. This board will make efforts to resolve issues and grievances of Sikhs living in foreign countries and support the local Gurdwara management committees in activities of Dharam Prachar (preaching of Sikh faith). This decision was taken in the SGPC's Executive Committee (EC) meeting held here in Amritsar under the leadership of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. During this meeting, an approval was also given to establish sub-offices of SGPC in different countries.
After the meeting, talking to the media, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sikhs are living across the world and this trend is accelerating. In view of this, the SGPC will establish an International Sikh Advisory Board for better follow-up of Sikh issues worldwide.
He said that the SGPC will also establish its own offices in different countries, so that direct and easy contact can be established with the Sikh Sangat at the local level. He said the SGPC will establish Gurdwara Sahib in different countries and make sub-offices there. He said that in the past, SGPC had already started this process in Yuba City in the United States of America (USA), which will be expedited rapidly and necessary action will be taken to establish sub-offices in other countries as well.
SGPC President said that the SGPC will also open a sub-office in the country's capital at Delhi by taking managements of some Gurdwara Sahibs there. He said in near future management of one Gurdwara Sahib will be taken and a sarai (inn) will be developed there for the convenience of Sikh Sangat. He said that this office of SGPC to be set up at local level in Delhi will provide services to adequately convey Sikh issues to the Central government. He said before this, SGPC's Sikh Mission is functioning in Delhi, which is doing work of preaching Sikh faith.
About more decisions of the EC, Advocate Dhami said that last year the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had announced to mark the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas of tenth Sikh Guru as 'Veer Bal Diwas', but after the SGPC's objection to this name, the sub-committee constituted by Akal Takht Sahib has suggested the name as 'Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas'. He said the SGPC will send a letter to the Government of India as per the suggestion of the sub-committee and the order of Akal Takht Sahib and ask to change the name as per Sikh terminology as suggested.
In the EC meeting, while the affairs of Gurdwara Sahibs and various institutions were discussed, it was also decided to give a 4% dearness allowance to the employees of SGPC.
On this occasion, tributes were paid to the departed souls including Bibi Ranjit Kaur Mahilpur, maker of Nanakshahi calendar Pal Singh Purewal, and hazuri raagi Bhai Sulakhan Singh.
Meanwhile, Advocate Dhami termed the attempt to desecrate Guru Granth Sahib at Gurdwara Sahib in Kathu Nangal yesterday as unfortunate and demanded strict action from the government against the culprits. He said that on the complaint of the manager of Gurdwara Baba Buddha Sahib, a case has been registered at the local police station. He said under investigation of this case, the police administration, while taking strict action against culprits who attempted to desecrate the Guru, should also expose the forces behind them.
Present in the meeting included SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, General Secretary Karnail Singh Panjoli, EC members Surjit Singh Kang, Sarvan Singh Kular, Surjit Singh Garhi, Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, Balwinder Singh Vain Puin, Harjap Singh Sultanwind, Gurinderpal Singh Gora, Amarjit Singh Bandala, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, Jodh Singh Samra, Baba Gurpreet Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, additional secretary Partap Singh, Sukhminder Singh, assistant secretary Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Gurdayal Singh, Gurcharan Singh Kuhala, Satnam Singh Mangesarai, Nirvail Singh, manager Sulakhan Singh Bhangali, superintendent Malkeet Singh Beharwal, in-charge Shahbaz Singh, Gurnam Singh, Azaddeep Singh, Balwinder Singh Khairabad, Rajwant Singh, Tarsem Singh, SDO Jatinderpal Singh and more key officials.
Centenary congregations of Saka Panja Sahib will be marked in Amritsar on October 27, & in Pakistan on October 30
SGPC EC has also given approval to various events to be organised dedicated to the centenary of Saka Sri Panja Sahib. SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh said that the main event of the centenary will be held at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Pakistan on October 30, while in Amritsar, India, events will be held on October 26 and 27. He said that after visiting Pakistan, the SGPC delegation has scheduled the outline of centenary events in discussion with representatives of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), under which, the centenary will be marked in memorable manner. In the main event at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib, famous dhadi raagis groups will be deputed and a big Amrit Sanchar (initiation ceremony) will also be held. He said for participating in centenary events, a jatha (batch) of about 200 people of SGPC will go and a process has been initiated for the same. He said that Kirtan Darbar will also be organised at Hasan Abdal railway station where the massacre took place in 1922.
He said that the events to be held in Amritsar will be completed earlier. Here in Amritsar, a two-day event will be held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall on October 26 and 27. Under these events, a group of 100 students of Sikh Missionary Colleges will perform Gurbani Kirtan with string instruments. Main event will be organised on October 27, in which prominent Panthic personalities will participate.