Giani Gargaj delivers annual address on Bandi Chhor Diwas without interruption

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj delivered the annual address to the Sikh community on Bandi Chhor Diwas without interruption here on Tuesday.

Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh abstained from attending the address as he, along with his Nihang Sikhs, reached the venue late.

Talking to reporters, Baba Balbir Singh stated that he did not have any grouse against Jathedar Gargaj, but it was a matter of “maryada”. Shiromani Panth Akali Dal Budha Dal, considered “Panjwa Takht”, is there only for implementing “maryada”, he said.

He elaborated that as per the “maryada”, a “Gurmatta”, along with the SGPC, all Nihang Sikh organisations, “mahapurkha” and Sikh intellectuals, would be held to find out a solution to accepting Gargaj as the officiating Akal Takht Jathedar.

He was flanked by Nihangs wearing traditional attire on the occasion.

It may be recalled that the opposing Sikh bodies had contended that Gargaj was not appointed after taking approval from the entire Panth and as per the Sikh code of conduct in March this year.

The development assumes significance as Gargaj had refrained from delivering the ceremonial address to the Sikhs on the Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6 following opposition from various Sikh bodies, including Nihangs.

This time, he was not interrupted, but the key Panthic organisation, Budha Dal, abstained from attending his address.

In his address, Jathedar Gargaj demanded the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was convicted of assassinating the then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, and Bandi Sikhs, political Sikh prisoners, expressed concern over the “discrimination” against Sikhs, incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and the attempts to take over Sikh institutions under a deep conspiracy and called for Panthic unity.

He demanded the immediate release of Jagtar Singh Hawara, Gurdeep Singh Khaira, Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Jagtar Singh Tara, Paramjit Singh Bheora and other Sikhs.

Referring to the notification issued by the government on the occasion of the 550th Parkash Purb in 2019, Giani Gargaj said the government should remain firm on its decision and announce the release of the imprisoned Singhs.

Earlier, officiating Jathedar Gargaj did sewa at a “chabeel” inside the Golden Temple today. Meanwhile, Bandi Chhor Divas was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm at the Golden Temple.

Golden Temple head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Tek Singh, Baba Nihal Singh of Tarna Dal Harian Velan, Dal Panth Baba Bidhi Chand Chief Baba Avtar Singh Sursingh, Tarna Dal Baba Bakala head Baba Joga Singh also participated on the occasion.

During the Gurmat celebrations held at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall, famous raagis, dhadis, Kavishar Jathas, preachers and poets of the Panth rendered Gurbani Kirtan.