Anantnag/Amritsar, November 15 - The second historic Nagar Kirtan, dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, was started today by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee from Gurdwara Matan Sahib (Kashmir), the holy place of the first Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in the presence of a large number of devotees. This Pukar Diwas Nagar Kirtan has been organized in memory of the appeal made by Pandit Kirpa Ram Ji along with Kashmiri Pandits to Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for the protection of religion. Earlier, a Nagar Kirtan has also been organized from Gurdwara Dhobari Sahib, Assam.
On the occasion of the departure of the Nagar Kirtan from Gurdwara Matan Sahib, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib and Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Tek Singh and Granthi Singh Sahib of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Giani Parvinderpal Singh, Interim Member S. Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Bibi Harjinder Kaur and Member Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta along with prominent personalities participated.
Before the commencement, the Bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib was offered after which the Hazuri Raagi Jatha performed Gurbani Kirtan. Ardas was performed by Mahant Manjit Singh and the Holy Hukamnama was taken by Granthi Singh Sahib of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Giani Parvinderpal Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the uniqueness of Sikhism is that along with its Guru Sahibs, Sikh servants who are worthy of history are also remembered. He said that Pandit Kirpa Ram Ji had gone to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with a complaint from Kashmiri Pandits and Guru Ji gave his martyrdom for the protection of religion and religious freedom. He said that it is our duty to strengthen the message of mutual brotherhood that Guru Ji gave by giving martyrdom for the protection of the religion of others. Regarding the issue related to Gurdwara Matan Sahib, Advocate Dhami appealed to all the parties to sit together and resolve it.
Referring to the centenary celebrations, he said that Nagar Kirtans have been organized to reach the message of the concept of Guru Sahib's martyrdom to every household, towards which the enthusiasm of the Sangat speaks volumes about its success. He said that people of all religions are paying respect to Guru Sahib by participating in it. He also appealed to the devotees to join the centenary celebrations to be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 29.
Meanwhile, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, said that Pandit Kirpa Ram is the character of history who sought the support of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji after Aurangzeb forcibly removed the Janeu. He said that today, when the 350th centenary of the martyrdom of Guru Sahib Ji is being celebrated, Pandit Kirpa Ram Ji, who had devotion towards the Guru Ghar, is also being remembered. He said that the initiative of the Shiromani Committee to start the Nagar Kirtan from this historical place is commendable, which will help connect the devotees with history. He also encouraged them to come together to strengthen mutual brotherhood.
On this occasion, the Chairman of the Temple Trust, Mr. Ashok Kumar, said that there are brotherly bonds between the Hindus and Sikhs of Matan and they will always strive for cooperation with each other.
On this occasion, the Panj Pyare Sahibans, Nishanchi Singhs and prominent personalities were also honored. On the way from Matan Sahib to Jammu, the Sangat welcomed the Nagar Kirtan and paid homage to Guru Sahib. On the way, the Hindu community at Ramban arranged langar for the Sangat.
On this occasion, SGPC Interim Member Sardar Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Member Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, OSD Sardar Satbir Singh Dhami, Secretary Sardar Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Deputy Secretary Sardar Harbhajan Singh Wakta, Sardar Gurnam Singh, Sardar Sukhbir Singh, Superintendent Sardar Malkit Singh Beharwal, Manager Sardar Satnam Singh Riar, Sardar Jagdish Singh Butter Chief 85, Sardar Jaskaran Singh, Mahant Manjit Singh, Sardar Gurjit Singh President District Gurdwara Committee Budgam, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bali General Secretary District Gurdwara Committee Srinagar, Sardar Jaspal Singh President District Gurdwara Committee Sri Nagar, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Vice President District Gurdwara Committee Budgam, Sardar Jasbir Singh Coordinator District Gurdwara Committee Sri Nagar, Sukhbir Singh Member Sardar Amarjit Singh Vice President Sardar Paramjit Singh Treasurer Lakhwinder Singh Treasurer, Sardar Paramjit Singh President District Gurdwara Committee Baramulla, Sardar Nanak Singh President, Jammu Kashmir Sikh Coordination Committee Chairman Sardar Ajit Singh, Sardar Darbara Singh President District Committee, Sardar Kulwant Singh District Committee, Sikh Mission In-charge Bhai Harbhinder Singh, Coordinator Bhai Jagtar Singh, Supervisor Sardar Harbhajan Singh, Bhupinder Singh Buttar, Mohan Singh, Gursanjogat Singh, Sardar Nirmal Singh, Sardar Sarabjit Singh Ramdas, Sardar Chitwant Singh and a large number of devotees were present.