Hamdard quits Anandpur Sahib Foundation
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 23 — In a surprise move, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Editor of Punjabi daily Ajit and member of the Rajya Sabha, today resigned as president of the executive committee of the Anandpur Sahib Foundation. This Foundation was created by the Punjab Government for the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa and for setting up the high-profile Khalsa Heritage Complex at Anandpur Sahib. Only yesterday, the foundation laying ceremony of the complex was attended by thousands of devotees and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had complimented Mr Hamdard, who otherwise was not present.

In a two-page letter addressed to Mr Badal, Mr Hamdard said "those colleagues and senior leaders monopolising high religious places for decades are now trying to sabotage the heritage project." Mr Hamdard, who had earlier returned the Padam Shri to the Central Government, today did not mince words and pointed his finger towards the SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. His decision to quit "with a heavy heart" stems from what he called the "atmosphere of intrigue and treachery created by some colleagues of Mr Badal."

While paying full compliments to Mr Badal for his vision and the efforts to create a magnificent heritage complex at the birthplace of the Khalsa, Mr Hamdard said: "These people always ready to sabotage anything worthwhile have now lined up with them some persons holding high and exalted holy positions in the Panth." The reference clearly is towards Akal Takht head priest Bhai Ranjit Singh. He has been another harsh critic of the functioning of the foundation and of the Heritage Complex.

But there was harsh indictment of Mr Badal too when Mr Hamdard in his letter said: "It may be a part of your political compulsion or a weakness in your nature or something else to take it all lying down without raising your voice against it. But I am not concerned with your compulsion."

Mr Hamdard also sounded a warning when he said that these people had the potential to disturb the hard won peace and amity in Punjab. He said: "I would like to take this opportunity to touch a very critical side of the issue and sound a note of warning. It is a matter of grave concern for all of us that the activities of some of these people have the potential to directly or indirectly pose a serious danger to the atmosphere of peace and amity in Punjab, for which you have worked with remarkable clarity of vision."

The resignation which is considered a setback for Mr Badal and his camp within the Akali Dal, also traces the setting up of the foundation and its working. Mr Hamdard said he had been deeply hurt by the doublespeak indulged in by senior Sikh leaders on several sensitive and religious matters. "The way some of them have questioned the design of Nissan-e-Khalsa after they had themselves approved it, has surprised many and raised questions about their real intentions. The design was twice approved among others by Mr Tohra who later described the objections against it as valid." This has intrigued many and Mr Hamdard's decision comes after this.

Mr Hamdard said that these ego-stricken people "with a view to confusing our approach and slowing down the pace of work, over the past some time singly or jointly, have not only indulged in character assassination of me and my colleagues, but have also chalked out conspiracies to ensure that the great tasks ahead of us do not get accomplished."

The letter, nevertheless, felicitated Mr Badal and the entire Sikh Panth of the grand success of the foundation stone ceremony. He praised Mr Badal for the cherished dream.

Mr Hamdard said: "For many years, and especially after your becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab, you have cherished a dream and a vision. To turn Sri Anandpur Sahib into one of the most attractive centres in the world and to set up memorial to the Khalsa heritage on a scale that it may remain a treasure and a source of inspiration for generations to come, and the Sikhs may forever take pride in this wonder. You have often shared these aspirations and dreams with me and wanted me to contribute towards the realisation of these. Prof Manjit Singh, Head Priest of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, also cherished the same dream. Like you, he also would inspire me from time to time to be ready to contribute in this direction. Respecting your pious wishes on this and with a desire to do my humble bit in this noble task, I had accepted Sahib Foundation after a prolonged hesitation."

He said: "The only motivating factor behind my eventual decision was my desire to help carry this great task to fruition on schedule. For over a year and a half, I and my colleagues have worked in this direction with commitment, sincerity and total dedication. I cannot but wholeheartedly admire the dedication and hard work put in by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Damanbeer Singh Jaspal. There were numerous challenges in the beginning and we had to pass through difficult periods, but having made up our minds, we were committed to face the most intricate problems and overcome every difficulty with resolute courage. I and the dedicated team of my colleagues have the satisfaction that we have not only crossed the difficult terrain but have also been able to awaken new hopes and new aspirations."