Sikhs hopeful of land transfer after meeting UP minister

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 22

Members of the Sikh community continued their protest for consecutive 19th day near the Prem Nagar Haridwar Setu, demanding handing of a vacant plot to the Gurdwara Gyan Godri Managing Committee for construction of a gurdwara.

Gurdwara Gyan Godri Managing Committee president Harjeet Singh Dua said Sikhs were feeling aggrieved over the delay in land allocation for the gurdwara. The Sikh volunteers were protesting at the venue for the past 18 days.

Harjeet Singh Dua added they along with Shri Dakshin Kali Temple spiritual guru Mahmandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Brahmachari met Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister Shiv Pal Yadav in Lucknow. The minister assured them of completing the land transfer process in time.

“Now, the ball is in the court of the Uttar Pradesh government, as it owns the land where the construction of Guru Gyan Godri Gurdwara is sought,” he added.

“Guru Gyan Godri Gurdwara is linked with revered Guru Nanak Dev, who is said to have meditated on the banks of the Ganga near Har-ki-Pauri, the place which came to be known as Guru Gyan Godri.

Now, the Bharat Guide and Scouts office is situated there. The state government had suggested to us a vacant land near the Prem Nagar ashram setu, which Sikhs agreed to. But later the UP Irrigation Department laid its claim to the land, delaying the land allocation process. Now after the meeting with Shiv Pal Yadav, we are hopeful of an early solution to the issue,” said Dua.