Tributes paid to Sikh youth killed in 1986 at Nakodar

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 28

SGPC president Prof Kirpal Singh Bhadungar, Dal Khalsa president HS Cheema and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh paid tributes to the four Sikh youth who were allegedly killed by the police in 1986 at Nakodar as they were protesting against the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.

Four Sikh youth named Ravinder Singh, Charmal Singh, Harminder Singh and Baldhir Singh were termed as martyrs of faith by the leaders on the occasion. The programme was organised by the NRI family of Ravinder Singh at their native village, Littran.

Fulfilling the desire of family members and the Sikh sangat, the SGPC chief announced to install portraits of the four ‘martyrs’ at the Sikh Central Museum at the earliest . He eulogised their sacrifice for the religion. Paramjit Singh Tanda, head of the Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP) was also present. The leaders presented Siropa (robe of honour) and portraits of the four martyrs to their family members.

Dal Khalsa leader while appreciating the SGPC for the gesture urged Prof Bhadungar to restore the Nanakshahi calendar in its original form. He reminded the gathering that the SGPC, under Bhadungar, had adopted the calendar in 2003, but in 2010, his predecessor ceased to follow it and reverted to the Bikrami calendar. Cheema requested Bhadungar to restore the ‘pristine glory’ of the original calendar to which the SGPC president responded in an affirmative. The SGPC chief assured the gathering that if sangat would support him, he would try his best to re-adopt the original one.