Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to display the portrait of Bhai Balwinder Singh Jatana at Central Sikh Museum, a brave struggling Sikh who opposed Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal for the protection of water of Punjab.
Moreover, the portraits of SGPC’s junior vice president Principal Surinder Singh and former SGPC member S. Harinder Singh Ranian will also be displayed at Central Sikh Museum.
Apart from the above, a number of other important decisions have also been taken in the meeting of SGPC’s Executive Committee (EC) presided over by SGPC President Advocate S. Harjinder Singh at the office in Amritsar on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after the EC meeting, SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh said that the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib had recently directed the SGPC to investigate the matter of errors in Gurbani based applications (Apps).
“The errors in Gurbani based apps have been confirmed in the report of the sub-committee formed to investigate the database of these apps. Action will be taken to shut down such apps and soon, under the supervision of senior Granthi Singhs, a database of Nitnem (daily prayers), Sunder Gutka Sahib, and other holy Gurbani, will be generated and an app will be developed by SGPC itself. This will also contain information about Sikh history and Sikh Rehat Maryada. If any private app seeks approval for making app, then Gurbani database will be provided to them as per rules”, said S. Harjinder Singh.
SGPC President said that the EC has also approved to conduct an annual historical conference through Sikh Itihas Research Board of SGPC, as per the old tradition.
“The first conference will be dedicated to the 100 year centenary of Saka (massacre) Sri Panja Sahib and Guru Ka Bagh Morcha”, said S. Harjinder Singh.
He said grand Gurmat Samagams (religious congregation) and seminars will also be organised on the occasion of these upcoming centenaries.
About other decision, the SGPC President said that as per the demand received from Australia, 220 holy saroops (scriptures) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib will be sent there.
“The Sangat of Guru Nanak Darbar, Victoria, Australia had demanded the holy saroops, which has been accepted and the same would be sent by chartered plane as per the Sikh Maryada (code of conduct)”, said S. Harjinder Singh.
The decision has also been taken to preserve the haveli (mansion) of Peer Budhu Shah at Sadhaura in Yamunanagar district of Haryana.
SGPC President strongly also slammed the decision of Punjab government to create an industrial park by destroying the Mattewara Forest.
He said the SGPC EC has strongly opposed this decision and the Punjab Government should immediately withdraw the same.
He said that the clean environment is the need of the hour and in view of this, the SGPC will launch a campaign related to the environment.
“Under this campaign, forests will be grown in the premises of historical Gurdwara Sahibs, which will be expanded to growing orchards in 1 acre of land in each of the Gurdwaras”, said S. Harjinder Singh.
The SGPC EC also condemned the efforts to transfer Panjab University as a Central University and asked the Punjab Government to clarify its intention on this subject.
Meanwhile, SGPC President also termed the policy to shave beard for duty of private security guards in Canada as unfortunate.
“Although, as per the information received, the Government of Canada has withdrawn this decision, the SGPC still urges foreign governments to take into account the religious sentiments of people of all faiths before taking any such decision in future”, said SGPC President.
He also welcomed the inclusion of Punjabi among the top six languages in Australia.
The SGPC EC also offered condolences by reading resolutions for Bhai Sawinder Singh, who got martyred in terror attack at Gurdwara Sahib, Karte Parwan in Afghanistan on June 18, 2022 and SGPC junior vice-president Principal Surinder Singh.
Those present in the SGPC EC meeting include senior vice-president S. Raghujit Singh, general secretary S. Karnail Singh, EC members S. Sarvan Singh, S. Surjit Singh, S. Jarnail Singh, S. Balwinder Singh, S. Harjap Singh, S. Gurinderpal Singh, S. Amarjit Singh, Bibi Gurpreet Kaur, S. Jodh Singh, Baba Gurpreet Singh, SGPC secretary S. Paramjit Singh, S. Partap Singh, S. Sukhminder Singh, OSD to SGPC President S. Satbir Singh, assistant secretary S. Kulwinder Singh, S. Gurinder Singh, S. Nirvail Singh, S. Gurcharan Singh, S. Satnam Singh, in-charge S. Shahbaz Singh, superintendent S. Malkeet Singh and other key officials.