AMRITSAR: The Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, visited Sankarankovil town in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu state under the “Khuar Hoye Sabh Milainge” (All Degraded Shall Unite) religious campaign to spread the message. of Sikh faith.
On his arrival at Sankarankovil, Jathedar Gargajj was accorded a grand welcome with a band party and fireworks by Tamil Sikhs and community members including Supreme Court advocate Jeevan Singh, Selva Singh, and Korkai Palani Singh. He was also honoured during a local gathering organized here.
Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj shared teachings from the history of Sri Guru Nanak Dev to Sri Guru Gobind Singh, and Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as well as Sikh principles, philosophy, and traditions. Referring to caste-based discrimination prevalent in this region, the Jathedar introduced the Tamil audience to the Sikh practices of pangat (institution of dining together in community kitchen without any discrimination) and sangat (religious congregation), and the principles of universality reflected in the sacred Sarovar (holy tank) and Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib.
Inspired by the Sikh religious discourse in Sankarankovil, several local people expressed their affection and enthusiasm for Sikh faith. Jathedar Gargajj presented them with Sikh Kakaar (religious symbol)—Karra (iron bracelets)—and asked Advocate Jeevan Singh to maintain regular contact with them and explain Sikh philosophy and principles in the Tamil language so that they remain connected.
During this visit, Jathedar Gargajj also met a family affected by caste-based discrimination, whose head of household had earlier been killed due to police brutality, leaving behind his wife and three children in dire circumstances. He urged local Sikhs to stand by this family, ensure the education of the children, and extend all possible support to them.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that during his three-day preaching tour of Tamil Nadu, he felt a strong enthusiasm for Sikh faith among Tamil people, highlighting the great need for grassroots-level Sikh religious campaign in the state. He reminded that according to historical accounts, Sri Guru Nanak Dev also visited the land of Tamil Nadu.
He noted that in recent years, some people in Tamil Nadu have embraced Sikh faith, which is a positive sign, and that they are now making commendable efforts to spread the faith in the state. He further said that in the future, efforts will be made to publish Sikh literature on Sikh Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct), history, philosophy, and principles in the Tamil language to spread the message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev among the local people.
On this occasion, Jaskaran Singh, Media Adviser to Secretariat, Akal Takht Sahib, local Sikhs, and prominent community members were present.