AMRITSAR: The officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, has asked the Punjab Government to withdraw its decision to set up a pollution-causing factory on the holy land of Sri Chamkaur Sahib, respecting the sentiments of Punjabis and especially Sikhs.
In a statement issued from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj stated that Punjab lives in the name of the Gurus, and Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in his divine verses, gave the status of Guru (master), father, and mother to air, water, and earth, respectively. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to protect and honour these elements.
He emphasized that it is the duty of governments to ensure development from a public-centric holistic approach, taking full care of people's health and well-being, rather than adopting approaches that adversely affect human life.
Jathedar Gargajj said that Sri Chamkaur Sahib is a place where, during the Battle of Chamkaur, the two elder Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and his numerous brave Sikhs attained martyrdom. This land, sanctified by the blood of martyrs, should never have been considered for a factory that could cause pollution and negatively impact public health.
He further noted that while traveling from Sri Chamkaur Sahib to Machhiwara, Sri Guru Gobind Singh had stopped at the site of Bir Jand Sahib, where today a historic Gurdwara is situated.
He said that it has come to light that plans are underway to install a paper factory just 600 meters from Gurdwara Bir Jand Sahib and 400 meters between the Budha Darya and Sirhind Canal. The factory would discharge its toxic waste into these water bodies and the surrounding land.
"This is a very serious issue, " the Jathedar said, "because the Sirhind Canal is the lifeline of the entire Malwa region of Punjab, and the impact of pollution in the Budha Darya can reach as far as Rajasthan. These are two major water sources on which a large population depends."
He warned that if the paper factory is established in the Chamkaur Sahib region, it will seriously harm the health and lifestyle of a large number of people.
He added that in areas of Punjab where such factories are already operating, there has been a sharp increase in diseases like cancer, skin conditions, infections, and hepatitis A, B, and C, affecting countless lives.
"These paper factories severely pollute the air, water, and soil, " he said, "so the Punjab Government must immediately withdraw from its plan to set up the factory in Sri Chamkaur Sahib and cancel the proposal, honouring the sentiments of the people."
Jathedar Gargajj also announced that he would soon visit Gurdwara Jand Sahib in Sri Chamkaur Sahib to meet with the local Sangat.