Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: National Sikh Front (J&K) has demanded that Kunjwani crossing be named as Baba Banda Bahadur Chowk and Dera Baba in Reasi on bank of river Chenab be promoted as pilgrimage tourism destination on the pattern of Shiv Khori.
Addressing a press conference here today chairman of the Front Varinderjit Singh said though the great warrior hailing from Rajouri district of the State is well known in India the people of this State and especially the young generation has little knowledge about him. He led the life of `Bairagi’ in his early life in South India after he came into the contact with the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj, he got reformed with the blessings of great Guru and resolved to fight against the Mughals who had been committing excesses on the people of Punjab that time. He defeated Mughal Governor of Sirhand and captured many areas annexed by Mughals and established first Sikh rule in Punjab and issued currency on the name of Guru Nanak Dev, which was known as `Nanak Shahi’.
The NSF leader demanded that Kunjwani which is gateway to Jammu city should be named as Banda Bahadur Chowk so that tourists and pilgrims coming to Jammu could know that great warrior belonged to this State. He also sought support from all the social, political and trade bodies of the State. He also demanded that a chair on the name of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur be established in Jammu University and this great warrior’s career and achievements be included in the history text books of primary classes.
Mr Singh urged the State Government to provide funds for the development of Dera Baba Banda Bahadur shrine for pilgrimage and improve this road in Reasi and also help the people to establish a Gurdawara at his birth place at Rajouri by removing all Revenue related hurdles. NSF president Kulwant Singh Bhatti also spoke on the occasion.
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