Ropar/Amritsar, September 4:
The Miri Piri Khalsa March, which began from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, resumed its second phase today after halting last night at Gurdwara Sri Bhatha Sahib in Ropar. It departed amid traditional Khalsa fervour for its next destination, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
At the beginning of the Khalsa March, prominent personalities including Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Garhgajj, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Tek Singh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, and senior Akali leader and former minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema were present.
During the religious gathering, Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib granthi Singh Sahib Giani Keval Singh shared accounts from Sikh history with the congregation and encouraged people to lead their lives according to Gurmat. Following the Ardas, senior Akali leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema performed the service of placing the sacred Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the palki sahib.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Garhgajj said that the Miri Piri Khalsa March, which began from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has so far passed through hundreds of villages, conveying the message of the Guru’s principles and Sikh traditions.
He said that while meeting elderly people in village gathering places along the route, the march organisers had gained an understanding of the actual situation in Punjab. Many young people, he said, had fallen victim to drugs. In many villages, between 10 and 15 young people had become victims of drug abuse. He alleged that the government does not take action against those selling drugs, while those who raise their voices against the drug menace have to face government repression.
He said that during the Khalsa March, many young people not only pledged to return to the Sikh form and way of life but also promised to stay away from drugs. He described this as an achievement of the Khalsa March.
He said the objective of the march was to propagate Sikh principles and work to curb social evils. He added that anti-Guru and anti-Khalsa Panth thinking was attempting to harm Sikh principles and that people needed to remain vigilant. He said every Sikh needed to remain dedicated to the Guru’s principles and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He also thanked the congregation for its overwhelming support.
Meanwhile, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Gurus abolished divisions based on social hierarchy and caste and bestowed equality and respect upon every human being. By giving dignity to oppressed sections of society, the Gurus also challenged the prevailing social and governmental systems of their time.
He said that the sixth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, gave Sikhs the principle of Miri-Piri, inspiring them to embody the ideal of the Sant-Sipahi (saint-soldier).
Advocate Dhami said that, following the principles bestowed by the Gurus, the Sikh community had always worked for the welfare of all humanity. Whenever humanity had been in need, the SGPC, as the leading Sikh institution, had always stepped forward and fulfilled its responsibility.
He said that the SGPC was also undertaking relief efforts for people affected by the recent floods in Nepal. An SGPC delegation comprising its members had been sent to Nepal and was working there to assist those affected.
He said that the principle of working for the welfare of humanity bestowed by the Guru Sahib was also the central message of the Miri Piri Khalsa March. He added that although anti-Panth forces were attempting to distance Sikhs from one another, the affection and support received by the Khalsa March from congregations in village after village demonstrated that Sikhs remained—and would continue to remain—dedicated to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
He also thanked the congregations that provided various services during the Khalsa March.
At different stages of the Miri Piri Khalsa March, congregations gave it a warm welcome and paid their respects to Guru Sahib. There was also considerable enthusiasm among the devotees for the bus accompanying the Khalsa March, which carries historical weapons associated with the Sikh Gurus.
Those present on the occasion included SGPC executive members S. Daljit Singh Bhinder and Bibi Harjinder Kaur; members Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, S. Ajmer Singh Khera and S. Paramjit Singh Lakhewal; Baba Boota Singh; S. Charanjit Singh Kalewal; Secretary of the Dharam Parchar Committee S. Gurinder Singh Mathrewal; Additional Secretary S. Bhagwant Singh Dhangera; Baba Harjit Singh; Manager S. Jasbir Singh; S. Sarbdayal Singh; Baba Mohan Singh; Head Granthi Bhai Pavitar Singh; Head Parcharik Bhai Jagdev Singh; In-charge S. Gurbhag Singh; S. Gurwinder Singh Mohali, along with a large number of other devotees and officials.