‘Panj Pyaras’ take out march against drugs, slam Sukhbir : The Tribune India

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‘Panj Pyaras’ take out march against drugs, slam Sukhbir

Members of various Sikh organisations led by sacked Panj Pyaras take out a march in Amritsar on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vishal Kumar

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 25

Sacked “Panj Pyaras” and several Sikh organisations today carried out a ‘Fateh March’, highlighting the rise in drug addiction and apostasy among Sikh youth in the Sikh holy city.

Unceremoniously removed by the SGPC, Panj Pyaras Satnam Singh Khanda, Mangal Singh, Major Singh, Tirlok Singh and Satnam Singh led the march. Dedicated to the sacrifice of four “sahibzadas” and their mother Mata Gujri, the march started from Gurdwara Shaheedan and concluded at Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex.

Satnam Singh slammed Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for claiming that high rate of drug addiction was false and a figment of imagination of the Opposition. “The government is substantiating its point on the basis of a report of dope tests conducted on candidates, who appeared for physical tests during a police recruitment drive,” he said.

To a query, Satnam Singh dismissed the claims of SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar of holding talks with sacked “Panj Pyaras” to bring about a rapprochement. “‘Panj Pyaras’ are ready to talk to the SGPC after it ousts three Jathedars — Giani Gurbachan Singh of Akal Takht, Giani Mal Singh of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Gurmuk Singh of Takht Damdama Sahib.”

This notion has gained credence after the SGPC reinstated Ardasiya Balbir Singh, who had refused a “siropa” to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during his visit to the Golden Temple.

“Panj Payars” had announced their march to be a religious affair, but stressed Sikhs could neither vote for the Congress, as it had attacked the Golden Temple, nor the SAD for eroding the principles of Akal Takht.

Dal Khalsa leaders Harpal Singh Cheema and Kanwar Pal Singh said Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed his sons for the Panth, but today’s leaders were sacrificing Panthic interests for the sake of their sons. The All-Indian Sikh Students’ Federation (Peer Mohammad), Youth of Punjab and Akhand Kirtani Jatha also participated in the march.