Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: `Parkash Purab’ of sixth Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Hargobind Ji Maharaj was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety by the Sikh community members across the State today.
The religious places of the Sikhs were heavily decorated and a large number of community members thronged Gurdwaras to offer special prayers. `Shabad Kirtan’ by several Ragi Jathas was performed. Stalls of cold and sweet water were set up at many places by the community members.
Special programme in this connection was organised at Gurdwara Baba Chanda Singh Ji Jain Bazar Jammu where a large number of Sikh devotees offered prayers. The Management Committee of Gurdwara organised impressive Kirtan Darbar and celebrated the Gurpurab with great enthusiasm and religious fervor. The committee also arranged a community Langar on the occasion.
Dr Tejinder Singh, Kirtan Jatha Bibi Harpreet Kour, Bibi Amrit Kour, Bibi Nirmal Kour and Bhai Sukhdev Singh recited Shabad Kirtan at Jain Bazar Gurdwara. President of the Management Committee Sukhbir Singh criticized the role of Revenue Department for not allotting the land for reconstruction of Guru Charan Kamal Asthan Ser Manjila Sahib which was demolished by the miscreants during 1984 riots. He asked the police to reopen the case and arrest the accused persons. He also raised several other demands of the community on the occasion.
Meanwhile, several other organizations including BKNSS, Sikh United Front and others condemned the DGPC Jammu for not celebrating the day as per Nanak Shahi Calander. They said that Akal Takhat Sahib should take cognizance of the matter.
All the five elected DGPC members Avtar Singh Khalsa, Darbinder Singh, Ramneek Singh, Fateh Singh and Raja Singh celebrated the Parkash Purab of Guru Hargobind ji Maharaj in their respective constituencies of district Jammu. Gurdwaras of their areas were highly decorated and religious preachers threw light on the life and history of this great Guru. Community Langar was also arranged at several Sikh religious places.
These DGPC members while addressing religious gathering demanded that Minority Commission be set up in the State, refugees of 1947 be provided justice, a Sikh Minister be inducted in the State Cabinet and induction of Punjabi teachers in schools and so on.
The reports of the celebrations of Gurpurab were also received from Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Srinagar and other areas of the State.