Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami today urged unity, calling on all sides to set aside differences and egos in the current challenging times.
Speaking to the media, Dhami outlined the SGPC’s plans for a Nagar Kirtan to mark the martyrdom centenary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
The procession will commence from Dhobri Sahib in Assam on August 21, pass through 20 states, and culminate at Anandpur Sahib on November 23. The route programme till August 31 has been released. Another Nagar Kirtan will begin from Mattan in Jammu and Kashmir on October 5, starting from the shrine of Pandit Kirpa Ram and also concluding at Anandpur Sahib.
On the ongoing rift within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the formation of two factions at the SGPC headquarters, Dhami said it was not a good sign given the many challenges facing the community. He accused former Jathedar and newly elected SAD president Giani Harpreet Singh of fostering division for political gain.
Dhami recalled that he had chaired a recruitment committee formed by Sri Akal Takht in an effort to bring unity, but resigned when he felt the task was not being achieved. He warned that moves to challenge the SAD’s name and symbol would only deepen the divide, alleging that “big forces” were working to split the party.
