Coordination panel meets, but fails to break deadlock

AMRITSAR: Yet again, the coordination committee meant to finalise the joint celebrations of main event of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Sultanpur Lodhi could not break the impasse between the SGPC and the state government.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal (centre) addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Friday. Tribune photo: Vishal Kumar

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 4

Yet again, the coordination committee meant to finalise the joint celebrations of main event of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Sultanpur Lodhi could not break the impasse between the SGPC and the state government.

As Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa skipped the event, his colleague Charanjit Singh Channi represented the state government whereas Tota Singh and Bibi Jagir Kaur were from the SGPC side and Baba Naurang Singh from Baba Nihal Singh Hariayan Wela Wale was the independent member in the meeting held at SGPC headquarters here today.

Randhawa, who was conspicuous by his absence, had already lodged his protest with Akal Takht against the SGPC’s move to go solo on inviting dignitaries while ignoring state representation. Akal Takht had forwarded his letter to the SGPC and Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had said the matter could be taken up in the meeting.

When asked, Channi said, “I am here as a state representative. Leave aside everything, the state government is working with a liberal approach on the modalities to hold the main celebrations at Sultanpur Lodhi jointly so that it should comply with the universal brotherhood and peace message of Guru Nanak. I hope that we will reach a consensus”.

He said the issues regarding the venue and allied arrangements were discussed in detail, but it fell short of any decision. “After discussing it with the CM, we will give our viewpoint,” he said.

Hinting that another meeting was in the pipeline, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said, “We had discussions with positive approach from both the sides. It will be revealed in a few days”.

SGPC has rented the Guru Nanak Stadium to hold the main event and arrangements are underway where state government has pumped in at least Rs 50 crore to erect a stage at the back of Gurdwara Ber Sahib for the event in addition to the tents to accommodate a huge number of devotees.

The stalemate between the two sides was to decide upon the stage for joint event which would be graced by the President, the PM, CMs of various states and dignitaries from various countries.