Any force that attempts to erase distinct Sikh identity will be firmly resisted by Sikhs: Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj

Jathedar Gargajj participates in a grand Gurmat Samagam at Kolkata commemorating 350th Martyrdom Saka of Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Ji

Kolkata/Sri Amritsar, September 15: Nazrana Times Beuro

The officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, participated in a joint Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) held in West Bengal’s Kolkata to mark the 350th Martyrdom Saka of Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Ji, Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dyala Ji, along with the 350th Guruship Day of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. The event was organized collectively by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sri Guru Singh Sabha Kolkata, and the joint Centenary Committee of all Gurdwaras of West Bengal. Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Gargajj called upon Sikhs to remain united in accordance with the Panthic spirit.

The Sikh community and devotees of Kolkata and West Bengal participated in large numbers. The congregation was spiritually enriched through Gurbani Kirtan by the Hazuri Ragi Jatha of Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shant from Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Katha by Bhai Baldev Singh Paonta Sahib, and Kavishri renditions by Bhai Joga Singh Bhagowalia’s jatha.

In his address, Jathedar Gargajj highlighted the deep historical connection of Sikhs with Bengal. He reminded the sangat that Bhagat Jaidev Ji, whose Bani is enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, hailed from Kendri Nagar (West Bengal). Both Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Ji had also visited this land during their preaching tours. He recalled significant Sikh associations with Kolkata, including the Budge Budge Ghat episode when Baba Gurdit Singh led passengers of the Guru Nanak Jahaz who were forced to return from Canada and faced brutalities by the British. The All India Sikh Students Federation too had played a vital role in this region, he said.

Speaking on Sri Guru Teg Bahadar’s supreme sacrifice, Jathedar Gargajj said the Ninth Guru laid down his life at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, to defend religious freedom and human rights, resisting the Mughal rulers’ attempt to impose their faith across the country. Guru Ji protected the tilak and sacred thread of the oppressed Hindus. Jathedar expressed concern that today, when those very communities enjoy power, it is tragic that Sikh articles of faith such as the Kirpan and Karra are being targeted and restricted by fascist forces in different parts of the country.

The Jathedar warned the rulers that without the sacrifices of turbaned Sikhs, India’s map would have been different today. “The Sikh Gurus’ ideology is that Sikhs neither live in fear nor instill fear in others. Even today, freedom of religion for all faiths must be safeguarded,” he said.

Reaffirming Sikh distinctiveness, Jathedar Gargajj declared, “Sikhs are a separate community with a unique identity. Any power that questions or attempts to subsume this identity should remember that Sikhs will fight resolutely and go to any length to defend it.”

He called upon Sikhs worldwide to remain united as one Khalsa family in the light of the Guru’s teachings, and to always stay connected with the supreme seat of Sikh authority, Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He cautioned that attempts are being made to alienate Sikhs from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, but the community’s face must always remain turned towards the Guru.

Jathedar Gargajj urged all Gurdwara committees of Kolkata and West Bengal to continue working in harmony and unity as they had done for this Centenary event. He inspired Sikh youth of Kolkata to maintain their Sabat Soorat (with unshorn hair) Sikh identity with full discipline, partake Amrit (get initiated) to become Guru’s own, strengthen the presence of Gurbani in their homes, teach their children Gurmukhi Punjabi, and make Punjabi the language of their households.

He also praised the SGPC, under the leadership of President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, for organizing Gurmat Samagams across the country to mark the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Ji.

The Kolkata centenary event was hosted at the Netaji Indoor Stadium with full cooperation of the state government, local administration, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee, who generously provided the venue free of cost.

Among those present were SGPC member Gurinderpal Singh Gora, Bhai Gurpreet Singh Kar Sewa Khadoor Sahib, Baba Ghola Singh Ji Kar Sewa Sarhali, Gurbakhsh Singh Lopo (President Sri Guru Singh Sabha Kolkata), Gurmeet Singh Sekhon (President Gurdwara Bara Sikh Sangat Kolkata), Ranjit Singh Khamano (President Centenary Committee), Jagmohan Singh Gill (In-charge Sikh Mission Kolkata, Eastern India), Personal Assistant Bhai Baldev Singh, Media Advisor Jaskaran Singh, preacher Bhai Gurwinder Singh, Bhai Daljeet Singh Chaarhke (Head Granthi), Bhai Jarnail Singh Basrawan (Kathavachak), Bhai Gurpreet Singh Chaina, along with a large number of Sikh Devotees