Tuesday, April 13, 2010

World Sikh Convention: Debar Jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazoor Sahib

Sikh body urges govt for withdrawal of blacklist

NEW DELHI: The World Sikh Convention in New Delhi sought to debar the Jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazoor Sahib from participation in clergy meetings convened to deliberate on panthic matters till they shun the practice of adorning the controversial Dasam Granth parallel to Guru Granth Sahib.

Representatives of several Panthic Bodies from India and 31 representatives from US, Canada, UK, Belgium, Sweden and Pakistan took part in the conference on Sunday.

Representatives of an international Sikh body appealed to the government to do away with the blacklist that debarred some Sikhs from entering the country.

They made the demand in a resolution adopted at the World Sikh Convention that ended with an open session at Rakabganj Gurdwara here on Sunday. The delegates contended that the list had no relevance any longer as the Khalistan agitation was over in Punjab long ago.

“The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara managing committee should take up the issue with the Indian government,” said Kuldeep Singh from New York, adding that the blacklist was also coming in the way of those having similar names getting the Indian visa.

Punjabis in the country must register Punjabi as their mother tongue in the ongoing national census, it said.

Delegates also appealed to Sikhs across the globe to continue to observe all the ceremonies in accordance with the unchanged version of the Nanakshahi calendar and changes that have been introduced now should not be accepted.

The conference formulated a committee to finalise the criteria of appointing the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht as well as the mode of retirement, qualifications, sphere of authority, working conditions.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna said, “We strongly condemn the ban on turbans in France and other Sikh code of conduct in other countries and demand that the Indian government protect the interests of NRI Sikhs and provide them dual citizenship.”

The convention also passed a resolution against the capital punishment awarded to Davinderpal Singh Bhullar in the case relating to the attack on youth Congress leader MS Bhitta and sought its revocation.

With thanks : punjabnewsline

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

No comments: