Sri Amritsar-On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, today participated in a Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) organised at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Baba Deep Singh Ji in Sri Amritsar by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee with the support of the Sangat, and shared his views with the congregation.
Addressing a large gathering of the Sangat, he asked the congregation to draw inspiration from the Sikh martyrs, to live together like one family, and refrained them from indulging in backbiting and slander against one another within the community. On this occasion, he also shared with the Sangat the history of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji and other Sikh martyrs who made immense sacrifices to uphold the sanctity, honour and dignity of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib.
During the programme, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj appealed to the Sangat, and especially to the people of Punjab, not to give up their claim over their lands and to safeguard them, as this is the land of martyrs, attained through immense sacrifices made by Sikhs. He said that the lands of Punjab are being fragmented and sold under colonial policies, which needs to be stopped. He appealed to the people of Punjab not to sell their invaluable land under any temptation.
During the programme, renowned Kathawachak Bhai Sahib Bhai Pinderpal Singh expressed the view that the practice of celebrating Sikh days and birth anniversaries by cutting cakes in Gurdwaras, which is becoming prevalent these days, is not part of Sikh tradition. Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj endorsed the views of Bhai Pinderpal Singh and directed the Sangat to celebrate the Sikh religious occasions and Gurpurabs strictly in accordance with traditional Sikh practices.