DERA BABA NANAK: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a 17 member Jatha of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Committee headed by its President Bibi Jagir Kaur left for Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan today.
Amir Singh, former president. Satwant Singh, former president. Taroo Singh MNA Ramesh Singh Arora and others gave a hearty welcome.
Arriving at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Bibi Jagir Kaur presented a handkerchief to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and expressed her devotion and prayed for the rising art of the Sikh world.
Meanwhile, during the Purab ceremonies at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Jathas of Bhai Surinder Singh and Bhai Gurkirat Singh, who were present at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, performed Gurbani Kirtan.
Bibi Jagir Kaur in the decorated ceremony congratulated the sangat on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and appealed to follow the teachings of Guru Sahib.
She announced that ragi jathas would be sent daily by the SGPC at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib. In addition, supplies and other necessities will be provided as per demand and requirement.
She said that the representative body of the Sikh community, the Sikh body Shiromani Committee would co-operate with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee at all levels and she would continue to visit here from time to time.
Before leaving for Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Bibi Jagir Kaur paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib at Dera Baba Nanak on the Indo-Pakistan border where she was honored with Siropas.
Speaking on the occasion Bibi Jagir Kaur said that the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib is a bridge of faith of the Sangat and every Sikh has a feeling that he should pay homage at the holy shrine of Guru Sahib
She said that he was fortunate enough to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib on the occasion of Guru Sahib's birth which was made possible by the grace of Guru Sahib. On this occasion Bibi Jagir Kaur lashed out at the Government of India and Punjab saying that the SGPC had sought the approval of 101 Jatha members as per the instructions of the concerned officials of the government.
But sadly, only 20 were approved.
She said that these 20 members of the SGPC were also clarified this morning.
The Shiromani Committee President said that if such treatment has been meted out to the Sikh community then what will happen to the general Sangat. She said that the SGPC was managing the historical shrines in India with Panthic spirit but ignoring the Sikh body for paying homage at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib was a painful act. He said that the pilgrimage to this holy place should not be politicized with any party so as not to offend the religious sentiments of the Sangat.
It may be recalled that the Shiromani Committee President Bibi Jagir Kaur paid obeisance at Sri Kartarpur Sahib. The group also took Gutka Sahib, sets of handkerchiefs, models of Sri Darbar Sahib, Chaur Sahib, religious literature and Sirpao to Gurdwara Sahib.
Apart from Bibi Jagir Kaur, . Satwinder Singh Tohra, Ajmer Singh Khera, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, S. Sukhwarsh Singh, S. Navtej Singh Kauni, Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Bibi Gurmeet Kaur, S. Mangwinder Singh Khaparkheri, Jathedar Gulzar Singh Ranike, Bibi Kawaljit Kaur, Ragi Bhai Surinder Singh, Bhai Baljinder Singh, Bhai Nachhatar Singh, Bhai Gurkirat Singh, Bhai Jagjit Singh, Bhai Harpreet Singh. In addition, Senior Vice President Surjit Singh Bhitewad could not accompany the Jatha as the names of member Bhai Manjit Singh were not approved.
Three members of the Jatha failed to pay obeisance at Sri Kartarpur Sahib due to untimely notification by the government.