AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to display a portrait of Bhai Balwinder Singh Jatana, a Sikh warrior who opposed SYL for the protection of Punjab's waters, in the Central Sikh Museum. Name of Jatana has figured in latest song of Sidhu Moosewala, SYL released after the death of singer.
At the same time the junior vice president of the Shiromani Committee late Surinder Singh and former member S. A portrait of Harinder Singh Rania will also be housed in the Central Sikh Museum. Apart from this a number of other important decisions have also been taken in the meeting of the Interim Committee chaired by Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami at the office of the Shiromani Akali Dal here.
Speaking to reporters after the gathering, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, said that the Jathedar Sahib of Akal Takht had recently directed the Shiromani Akali Dal to investigate the matter of Gurbani errors in Gurbani based apps. This has been confirmed in the report of the sub-committee constituted under Action will be taken to shut down such apps and at the same time soon under the supervision of Singh Sahibs the daily Gutka Sahib and other holy Gurbani will be added and the app will be developed by the SGPC itself. It will also contain information on Sikh history and Rehat Maryada. If anyone asks for approval for another personal app, the data will be provided to them as per the rules.
Advocate Dhami said that the Interim Committee has also approved to hold an annual historical conference through the Sikh History Research Board as per the ancient tradition. Under this the first conference will be dedicated to the 100th centenary of Saka Sri Panja Sahib and Guru ka Bagh Morcha. He said that huge gurmat events and seminars would also be organized on the occasion of these centenaries. Giving information about other decisions, the SGPC President said that as per the demand received from Australia, 220 holy images of Guru Granth Sahib Ji would be sent.
He said that the Sangat of Guru Nanak Darbar Victoria had demanded from Australia that arrangements would be made to send the holy saroop by chartered ship as per Sikh etiquette. Simultaneously, the historic mansion of Peer Budhu Shah at Sadhaura in Haryana would also be preserved.
Shiromani Committee President Advocate Dhami also slammed the decision of the Punjab government to create an industrial park by destroying the Mattewara forest. He said that the Interim Committee had strongly opposed this and the Punjab Government should immediately reverse this decision. He said that clean environment was the need of the hour and in view of this the SGPC would launch an environmental campaign. Under this, forests are being planted in the historical gurdwaras, which will be extended till a garden of 1-1 acre is planted inside each gurdwara. He also condemned the transfer of Punjab University to Central University and asked the Punjab Government to clarify its intention.
Meanwhile, the SGPC President also termed as unfortunate the order to cut the beard for the duty of private security guards in Canada. He said that although the Government of Canada has reportedly withdrawn the decision, the SGPC still urges foreign governments to take into account the religious sentiments of people of all faiths in any future decision. He also welcomed the inclusion of Punjabi in the top six languages in Australia. During the meeting of the Interim Committee, condolences were also read on the demise of Bhai Sawindar Singh, who was martyred in a terrorist attack in Afghanistan, and Mr. Surinder Singh, Junior Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
The senior vice president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Sh. Raghujit Singh Virk, General Secretary Karnail Singh Panjoli, Member of the Interim Committee. Sarwan Singh Kular, S. Surjit Singh Garhi, S. Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, S. Balwinder Singh Weinpui, S. Harjap Singh Sultanwind, S. Gurinderpal Singh Gora, S. Amarjit Singh Bandala, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, S. Jodh Singh Samra, Baba Gurpreet Singh, Secretary Paramjit Singh Saroya, S. Partap Singh, S. Sukhminder Singh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, Deputy Secretary Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, S. Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, S. Nirveil Singh, S. Gurcharan Singh Kohala, S. Satnam Singh Mangasarai, Incharge Shahbaz Singh, Superintendent Malkit Singh Bahirwal and others were present.