Parallel jathedars extend support to agitating pathis

Tribune News Service

Bathinda/Talwandi Sabo, August 2

The parallel Sarbat Khalsa jathedars of the three takhts today extended their support to the agitating pathis working at the Golden Temple and in other gurdwaras and sought fixation of their salary and other perks.

The jathedars alleged that the pathis (priests) were forced to live a life of penury for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) never bothered to improve their condition.

“They are seeking higher wages in the range of at least Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. They are also demanding best possible health and other facilities for them and free quality education for their children. Pathis were so poorly paid that they can hardly lead a life of honour,” said Baljit Singh Daduwal, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.

SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar has already assured the pathis that the highest Sikh religious body is already in the process of increasing their wages.

The parallel jathedars said the SGPC should engage at least one pathi at each of the gurdwara in Punjab’s over 12,000 villages on fixed wages basis. “They should be selected and appointed on the basis of their educational qualification and after duly assessing their calibre as far as preaching were concerned,” Daduwal added.