Haroli/Una, April 18 (Rajveer Chopra): A serious issue concerning religious sentiments has emerged in Khuralgarh Sahib, Punjab, where deep resentment prevails among the devotees following the opening of a liquor shop situated between two prominent religious sites.
It is reported that hundreds of devotees visit these holy sites daily to pay their obeisance. Consequently, the presence of a liquor shop right in the midst of these sites has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
Recently, large-scale religious congregations were organized here, attended by Jasvir Singh Garhi, Chairman of the Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission, as the chief guest. Surprisingly, the liquor shop remained open even during these congregations—a fact to which the devotees raised strong objections.
In response to this issue, the Guru Ravidas Leva Sangats (devotee communities) of Himachal Pradesh have registered a stern protest. Criticizing the policies of the Punjab government, the Sangats have demanded the immediate closure of the liquor shop situated between these religious sites.
The Sangats have issued a warning that if prompt action is not taken, a large-scale protest demonstration will be staged outside the SDM office in Garhshankar on April 22. It is anticipated that a large number of devotees from Himachal Pradesh will also arrive to participate in this demonstration.
Participants in this protest include Sulinder Chopra, SC Cell District President Balram Mahe, Nirmala Mahe, Naresh Singha, Ravi Kant Bassi, Ajay Sahjal, Mukesh Sahjal, Sukhwinder Singh, Ramesh Kumar, Raman Kumar, and others.
The devotees have asserted that they are prepared to go to any extent to uphold the honor and dignity of the 'Guru Ghar' (the Guru's abode) and that they will not back down on this issue.