Baisakhi celebrated with fervour across state

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, April 13

Baisakhi was celebrated with traditional fervor and enthusiasm throughout the Jammu region today.

Children, youth and old joined in celebrations even as religious congregations were held at various places.

Gurdwaras across the city were decked up with colourful lights and flowers and various Sikh organisations joined to perform ‘nagar kirtan’. Community kitchens were also organised at various places in the city.

Children attired in colourful outfits assembled at the Ranbir Canal, where main celebrations were held. Special stalls were put up for kids and women at the site.

In Srinagar, the main religious gathering was held at the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara at Rainawari. A decent rush of devotees was also witnessed at the Barzulla gurdwara.

Majeet Singh, a local, said the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara held immense historical significance for the community as the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind sahib had visited the shrine during the Mughal period.

Traditionally on Baisakhi, not only Sikhs but a large number of locals from other religions used to visit the famous Mughal gardens in the city. However, due to a shutdown following the killings in Kupwara district, Singh said people mostly remained confined to their homes.

Previously, the government used to throw open the doors of the Mughal gardens on Baisakhi. However, for the past few years the gardens remain open throughout the year.

All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said Baisakhi was celebrated as the day of the creation of the Khalsa.

“Culturally, much of India celebrates Baisakhi as a harvest festival. Baisakhi is also referred to as the Sikh new year…People from any background are welcome to join in and take part in all Baisakhi celebrations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khalsa Sajna Divas was celebrated at Gurdwara Baba Chanda Singh Jee, Jain Bazar, in Jammu.

An impressive ‘kirtan darbar’ was also organised at the gurdwara by the management committee. Speaking on the occasion, Sukhbir Singh, president, Management Committee Gurdwara Baba Chanda Singh Jee, urged the government to declare martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Teg Bahudur as gazetted holidays.

He also sought declaring Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Jee Chand Nagar as a historical place and putting it on the tourist map of the state.

The committee also demanded removal of Municipal Committee shops falling in the precincts of historical Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Jee.

The committee further urged Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to name the Kunjwani Chowk as the Baba Banda Singh Bhahdur Chowk.

The committee also demanded immediate implementation of the Ansari Commission report on the 1989 anti-Sikh riots in J&K and settlement of claims of 1947 refugees.