SGPC observes Nankana Sahib massacre centenary in Gurdaspur

GS Paul

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 21

The BJP-led Centre was criticised on both sides of the India-Pakistan border for its denial to permit pilgrims to visit Pakistan to take part in the Nankana Sahib massacre centenary, known as Saka Nankana Sahib, today.

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh addressed devotees in Pakistan digitally and appreciated the authorities for organising the event.

In Pakistan, around 2,000 Sikhs and the Nanak Naam Leva Sangat attended the occasion. Federal minister Brig Ejaz Shah (Retd) was the chief guest.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) chief Satwant Singh said all arrangements were made in collaboration with the Evacuee Trust Property Board. “Pakistan had issued 720 visas to Indian pilgrims as special permission to attend the occasion, but in vain.”

Meanwhile, the SGPC organised the occasion at Godharpur village in Gurdaspur district where the kin of Bhai Lachhman Dass Singh Dharowali, who was killed during the Nankana Sahib massacre, lived.

Launching an attack on the Centre, Giani Harpreet Singh said the government had been playing politics of polarisation. “Since 1947, the minorities like Muslims and Sikhs were being targeted politically, socially, economically and religiously only to get their votes. The Sikhs ought to be politically strong and to bury internal conflicts,” he said.

On the Centre’s move to deny the Indian Jatha to Nankana Sahib, he said it was the fallout of Sikhs active participation in a protest against the farm laws.

“I want to convey to the Centre that its attempt to discourage the Sikhs’ from participating in farm protest could never be fructified. A century ago, the British government had stopped a Sikh jatha heading to Nankana Sahib, a day after the massacre, led by Jathedar Kartar Singh Jhabbar and today the BJP government did the same,” he said.

Addressing a gathering, SAD president Sukhbir Badal also questioned the Centre for its denial to the jatha and the CM for not taking up the issue. “Even a few days back, a few persons were granted permission to visit Pakistan at the instance of CM Capt Amarinder Singh.”

SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur urged the Sikhs to unite and also announced to construct a Guru Ka Langar hall in remembrance of Bhai Lachhman Singh and a library in memory of the martyrs of Nankana Sahib in their native villages.