Paonta Sahib, November
18
“Amend the Gurdwaras Act so that the annual general house meeting of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is held outside the SGPC complex,” suggests Mr Kartar Singh Takkar, a member of the Shri Paonta Sahib Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
“This should be done on the pattern of co-option of SGPC members as is done at the Town Hall under the Presidentship of the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, said Mr Takkar maintaining that by doing so the “unfortunate and bitter situation created this time over police entry into the Golden Temple complex would be avoided in the future.” He was talking to The Tribune after addressing a special congregation of Sikhs before a nagar kirtan procession here this afternoon.
“We have to do something so that sanctity of the sacred and most valuable place for a Sikh is maintained,” he added holding that making an amendment to the Act should not be a problem as “everyone would agree to abide by the maryada” of the Golden Temple complex. Besides, holding of such meetings will not hamper devotees visiting Darbar Sahib.
“Earlier, there used to be no task Force. Even this force has to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to it by those in power,” he added holding further that “conducting the annual election to the SGPC executive committee involved no religious ceremony or sanctity as it was a simple democratic exercise.”
Mr Kartar Singh Takkar also reminded the Himachal Government on the raising of Baba Banda Singh National memorial at lohgarh Fort on the Himachal-Haryana borders, and introduction of Punjabi as elective and optional subjects in state high schools.
Reminding Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal of his commitment made to the National Commission for Minorities that Punjabi would be introduced as decided by the State Cabinet, notification should not be delayed any more.
Mr Takkar also demanded the shifting of Surendra Club, Nahan, to another place as intoxicants, including liquor, were served on the Club premises which shared common boundary wall with the historic Sikh temple. Even law prohibits sale or service of liquor within 200 metres’ radius of a place of worship in
Himachal. As such this demand of the Sikhs of Himachal should be conceded without delay.
Meanwhile, Nagar Kirtan procession was organised here on the eve of the 533rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. After a special congregation at the historic gurdwara here, the nagar kirtan procession passed through bazaars of the town before terminating at the gurdwara.
