Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib Appeals Sikhs to Unite to Ensure Permanent Release of Sikh Detainees

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—While paying homage to the sacrifice of Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh and Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh appealed the Sikh community to unite to ensure the release of Sikh detainees. While expressing deep concern about the division among the Sikh community, Jathedar said that the whole Sikh community is busy in promoting trivial issues and nobody cares for the sacrifices of great martyrs. Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh was addressing Sikh sangat after the bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib at Gurdwara Jhande Bunge in Sri Harmandir Sahib complex.

Jathedar said that Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh, Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh and Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh kept the pride of the Sikh community by punishing the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was responsible for the holocaust of June, 1984. It is notable that thousands of Sikh devotees were slaughtered by the Indian Armed Forces during the holocaust of June, 1984 and the building of Sri Akal Takht Sahib was destroyed completely by tanks and mortars. Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh rewarded the families of Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh with siropao.

Bhai Papalpreet Singh (General Secretary, Sikh Youth Front) said that the issue of release of Sikh detainees is primary for the Sikh community. He said that missionaries and Sant Samaj should leave this egoistic clash on the Nanakshahi Calendar for the sake of Sikhism. He said that the life of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh is in danger, so it is the duty of every Sikh to support his struggle to force the Governments to permanently release the Sikh detainees. He appealed the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh to postpone the discussion on Nanakshahi Calendar for at least two months, so that the energy of the Sikh community could be used in a positive way.

Bhai Dhian Singh Mand(Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar)), Jathedar Baldev Singh Sirsa(Shiromani Akali Dal(Panch Pardhani)), Bhai Mohkam Singh (United Akali dal), Bhai Sukhjit Singh Khela(Sen. Vice President, Sikh Youth Front), Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, S. Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad (AISSF), S. Wassan Singh Jaffarwal, S. Rajeev Singh, S. Kanwarpal Singh (Dal Khalsa), S. Jarnail Singh Sakhira, S. Harbir Singh Sandhu, S. Satnam Singh Kot Khalsa, S. Mukhwinder Singh, S. Sucha Singh, S. Kashmir Singh and devotees in huge count were present on this occasion.