Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Nov 28: The 544th Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the State today.
Functions were held in various Gurudwaras to celebrate the day in which the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, were highlighted by the Ragi Jathas and Sikh religious leaders.
The main function was held here at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Devji in which thousands of Sikh devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu city participated. The entire Gurudwara was fully decorated on the occasion.
The Ragi Jatha of Bhai Amrik Singh Ji from Darbar Sahib, Gyani Kewal Singh ex Jethadar Damdami Sahib and Ragi Jatha of Major Singh from Ludhiana participated in the celebrations and recited Gurbani Kirtan and Shabad Kirtan.
The function was organised by District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC). On the occasion a resolution was passed highlighting the demands of the Sikh community. The resolution was moved by Daleep Singh, president, DGPC and it was supported by Surinder Singh, advocate and member, Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Board.
The resolution reiterated naming of road from Bikram Chowk to University on the name of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, creating a chair on the name of Guru Gobind Singh in University of Jammu, settling the problems of 1947 refugees, filling up of four seats two each from Kashmir Valley and Jammu province from the Sikhs out of the 24 vacant seats in State Assembly meant for PoK refugees, two percent minority quota in jobs and promotions to Sikhs, appointing one member of the community as High Court Judge and representation to the community in PSC and SSRB.
The resolution warned the Government from interfering into the religious affairs of Sikhs and said that there is lot of resentment among the community as the Government is trying to grab Sikh religious bodies, said Manjit Singh secretary of DGPC.
He said the Sangat also warned Government against its move to shift the statue of Gen Bikram Singh from Bikram Chowk and added that the community will not allow this at any cost as this will hurt the sentiments of the community.
IGP Jammu, Dilbagh Singh also graced the occasion on behalf of Director General of Police who was out of State. He read the message of DGP and congratulated the community on the occasion of Parkash Utsav.
On the occasion Gyani Kewal Singh Ji threw light on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji who was an apostle of peace, love and brotherhood.
Another function was held at Gurudwara Digiana Ashram, Jammu in which thousands of Sikh devotees participated. Besides the leaders and members of Sikh organizations including Sikh United Front J&K, Bhai Kanayia Nishkam Sewa Society J&K, Shiromani Youth Akali Dal, All India Sikh Students Federation, Sikh Welfare Society and Sikh Naujawan Sabha took part in the function.
During the function the Ragis and preachers threw light on the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji Maharaj. Sudershan Singh Wazir president Sikh United Front and ex president State Gurudwara Prabandhak Board threw light on the life of Guru Nanak Ji. He appealed the Sikh Sangat to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji.
A resolution was also passed demanding setting up of Minority Commission, giving a Cabinet berth to Sikhs, appointment of two members from community to SSRB and PSC, reservation in Government services, inclusion of Punjabi language in schools, permanent settlement of PoK refugees and compensation for their left over properties and ex-gratia of Rs 30 lakh per family of refugees.
In connection with the celebration of Parkash Utsav the functions were also held at Poonch today. The main function was held in Gurudwara Poonch in which thousands of devotees took part. The functions were also held at Gurudwara Purani Khalsa Chowk, Dharamsthal Poonch Brigade where students of both destitute homes were specially invited by Commanding Office, Poonch Brigade, Brig. M K Maggo. They were also served the langer.
At main Gurudwara Poonch Ragis from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi participated. They recited Gurbani from morning till evening. On the occasion Brig M K Maggo, DDC A K Sahu and SSP Shamsher Hussain threw light on the teachings of Guru Nanak. The langer for 45,000 devotees was organised by Obroi Furniture House Poonch on the occasion.
‘Gurpurab’, was also celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety throughout the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region.
The All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), greeting the people thanked the people of Pakistan for safeguarding the historical memorials, including land records of Kartarpur in the name of Guru Nanak Devji.
Members of the Sikh community, including women and children, in their colourful dresses visited Gurudwaras and other religious places since this morning despite chilly weather in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region.
The main congregation was held at Gurdwara Chhatipadshahi Rainawari on the foothill of Hari Parbhat.
Sikhs from different parts of the city and other areas visited the Gurudwara to join ‘Shabad Kirtan’ and other religious functions.
Special langar was also established where the devotees were provided, among other things, ‘Prasad’.
Similar functions were also held in Gurudwara at Barzulla, Jawahar Nagar, Tral, Rangreth, Pattan, Baramulla and other places.
Muslim and Kashmiri pandits were seen greeting their Sikh brethern on the occasion.
In south Kashmir the main function was held in a Gurudwara at Mattan, visited the Guru Nanak on his way to Ladakh.
Hundreds of devotees from different parts of south Kashmir participated in the prayers.
Despite below freezing temperature, devotees throng Pather Sahib Gurudwara at Leh, where Guru Nanak had visited on way to China and Tibet.
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