Amritsar: A special jatha of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today departed for Pakistan from Amritsar, to participate in the 100 year centenary congregation of Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) Panja Sahib to be held on October 30.
The SGPC jatha that departed from its office included former SGPC president Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal, head granthi of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Malkit Singh, SGPC members Bhai Manjit Singh, Mangwinder Singh, Baldev Singh, Amarjit Singh, Kulwant Singh, Ranjit Singh, Paramjit Singh, Paramjit Singh Raipur, Bibi Gurinder Kaur, Bibi Jaspal Kaur, Dharam Prachar Committee (DPC) member Sukhwarsh Singh, Jagjit Singh Khalsa, Panja Piaras (five beloved ones), raagis and the Sangat.
Meanwhile, Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh also left for Pakistan to attend the congregations to be held at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.
Speaking at the departure of jatha, Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal said that the SGPC is jointly organising centenary congregations related to Shaheedi Saka with Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) on October 29 and 30. He said a special SGPC jatha is going to participate in the centenary congregations.
“The centenary events and congregation of Saka Panja Sahib holds great importance, therefore, the governments should grant visas to pilgrims with open heart. Rejecting visas to pilgrim members of special jatha on this occasion is not good”, said Longowal.
Giving information about the jatha, SGPC secretary Partap Singh said that an advance delegation led by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami had visited Pakistan in the recent past, which had planned the organisation of congregations and programs in coordination with PSGPC. Under the same plan, the special jatha today left for Gurdwara Panja Sahib, which will attend the centenary congregations.
“Apart from visiting Gurdwara Panja Sahib, this jatha will also pay obeisance at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore and return to India on November 1”, said Partap Singh. Before the departure of jatha, secretary Partap Singh and SGPC officials honoured leaders of jatha with Siropaos (robes of honour).
Present on this occasion included SGPC members Navtej Singh, Gurmeet Singh, SGPC secretary Partap Singh, additional secretary Kulwinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Harjit Singh, Gurinder Singh, Bijai Singh, assistant secretary Satnam Singh, Kuldeep Singh, in-charge Yatra Department Rajinder Singh, and superintendent Malkeet Singh.
Notably, the SGPC had sent passports of 157 pilgrims for visa approval, of which, 117 got the visas.