Khalsa march begins
From Sushil Goyal

ANANDPUR SAHIB (Ropar), Dec 5 — Led by the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the main organiser of the march, Sant Baba Mann Singh Pehowa Wale, and other Sikh leaders, the two-day Khalsa march, being organised by the Sant Samaj in association with the SGPC, began on a colourful note, with fanfare and religious fervour from Kila Anandgarh Sahib at 8.50 am today.

This march is being taken out to mark the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa. En route, the march will visit Gurdwara Parivar Vichhorra Sahib, where family members of the Guru Gobind Singh separated from him about 10 km from Ropar, Gurudwara Bhatha Sahib at Ropar, Chamkaur Sahib, Jhar Sahib, Machhiwarra. It will culminate at Fatehgarh Sahib tomorrow evening.

Before commencing the march, Ardas was performed. Bhai Ranjit Singh then carried the Guru Granth Sahib on his head to place it on flower bedecked palanquin.

An attractive band, Nihangs on horses, Sikhs carrying Nishan Sahibs, and a large number of persons wearing saffron suits, dupattas and turbans joined the march.

A 'diwan' was also organised at a tastefully decorated stage in Kila Anandgarh Sahib, where kirtan was performed throughout the whole night. This morning, eminent Sikh personalities addressed a gathering from that stage.

Baba Pehowa Wale said today was the same day on which Guru Gobind Singh left Kila Anandgarh Sahib and his family members were separated from him. He congratulated the Sikhs for maintaining the unity of the Panth.

Mr Tohra called upon the Sikhs to baptise themselves and adopt the path of deaddiction. He said this message should be spread to each village and house for celebrating the tercentenary in the true sense.

The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said that under the directions of Akal Takht, big programmes for celebrating the tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa were being chalked out. There was a dire need to remain united for fighting against the repression and atrocities, he said. The state government would not leave any stone unturned for celebrating the tercentenary, he assured.

Bhai Harbhajan Singh Yogi, a spiritual leader from USA, said, he hoped that unity could be maintained among all Sikhs. The Sikhs living abroad had great enthusiasm about the tercentenary celebrations.

Sant Paramjit Singh Mahalpur Wale claimed that no party could form a government in the state till the Sant Samaj supported it.

Bhai Ranjit Singh called for the propagation of the ideology propounded at Anandpur Sahib. The Panth should remain united for the prosperity of the Sikh community. For this purpose, 'we should not hesitate to make any type of sacrifice'.

The others who spoke included Sant Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi, President of the Sant Samaj, Baba Thakur Singh, Head of Damdami Taksal, Baba Hari Singh Randhawa and Sant Makhan Singh, Senior Vice-President of the Samaj.

Mr Badal was given a siropa each by Sant Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi and Baba Labh Singh.

Among those present were Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib; Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib; and Head Granthi of Takht Patna Sahib.

Earlier in morning, Baba Pehowa Wale visited Gurdwara Bhora Sahib, Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdwara Mata Jito Ji and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib to pay obeisance before starting the Khalsa march. At the Takht, Prof Manjit Singh, presented siropas to the head of various Sikh sects.