Punjab Governor Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria today paid obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Sisganj Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib. During this, Mr. Kataria paid a special visit to the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj at his residence office. On this occasion, Jathedar Gargaj and Shiromani Committee member Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla honored Governor Mr. Kataria by presenting him with a siropao, loi and a picture of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. During the meeting, important issues like the centenary dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, strict laws in cases of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other religious scriptures, displacement of poor families living near the paper factory near Chamkaur Sahib and Mattewara forest, police encounters in Punjab, religious conversions etc. were discussed between Mr. Kataria and Jathedar Gargaj.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said that the talks with Governor Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria were held in a very good atmosphere, during which the Governor listened carefully to the issues raised with him and advised on the necessary action. Jathedar Gargaj said that the Governor has been told that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji should be celebrated in a good manner throughout the country and the world by reflecting his principles of human rights and religious freedom. It has been suggested to Governor Mr. Kataria that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji should be celebrated by the Punjab and Central Governments with the cooperation and advice of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, as it is the central religious organization representing the Sikhs which better represents the Sikh traditions, customs and principles in Gurmat celebrations.
Jathedar Gargajj also raised the issue of the paper factory near Sri Chamkaur Sahib with the Governor, which is being strongly opposed by the people of the area because it will spread pollution near the martyrdom site of the great Sahibzadas, which is not good for the health of the people and the environment, air and water of Punjab. Jathedar Gargajj also raised the issue of the displacement of poor families living near Mattewara forest by the government with the Governor of Punjab, since these families have been living there for a long time, so their displacement is not justified and is a serious violation of human rights, which does not match the nature of Punjab. Jathedar Gargajj also raised the issue of making strict laws regarding the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with Governor Shri Kataria. He said that Sikhs consider Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the Jagat Jyot Guru and all religious scriptures are respectable. But Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has the status of Guru, therefore a special law should be made regarding the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there should be strict punishments and this work should be done soon. He said that Sikhs should also ensure security in Gurudwaras at all times. Jathedar Gargajj also raised the issue of encounters conducted by Punjab Police in the last seven months with the Governor Punjab, in which the police have made almost the same story that they went to recover weapons and the alleged culprits opened fire on the police and they were killed in the retaliatory action. He said that there are courts in the country and the state to give justice to the people, so the punishment should also be given by the court and it is wrong to punish anyone in encounters. He said that although the murder of a businessman brother in Abohar recently is also extremely unfortunate, it should not have happened, but it is the government’s job to maintain law and order. He said that a former Akali Sarpanch was also murdered in Amritsar. He said that the families of the two young boys killed in the Abohar case are calling the police encounters fake and they are raising their voices for justice, the truth and falsehood of this will come out with time, but such a phenomenon should be stopped. Punjab should not move towards becoming a police state. He said that the issue of religious conversion was also discussed with Governor Mr. Kataria. He said that it is not right to convert people by creating an atmosphere of greed, fear, hypocrisy and false miracles and it has been decided that efforts should be made to bring back the families who converted with love. On this occasion, Manager of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib S. Gurdeep Singh Kang, Additional Manager S. Hardev Singh, Information Officer S. Harpreet Singh etc. were present.
