Third Phase of Miri-Piri Khalsa March Begins from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib with Sikh Khalsa Spiri

Dialogue on sacrilege law remains open, but compliance with objections and suggestions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib essential: Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj

Government should issue notification keeping anti-Sacrilege law in abeyance until issue is resolved: Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj

Khalsa March aims to connect youth caught in drug menace with Gurbani and Sikh principles: Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami

Sri Anandpur Sahib, September 17 , Kanwar Partap Singh / Tajeemnoor Kaur

The third phase of the Miri-Piri Khalsa March began today from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib—the birthplace of the Khalsa—with Sikh traditions and Khalsa spirit. The march, which began from Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Miri-Piri Day, had reached Takht Sri Damdama Sahib during its first phase after promoting the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the principle of Miri-Piri, Sikhi, Gurmat way of life and Khalsa spirit. After passing through various places, the second phase concluded at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib on September 4.

The launch of the third phase was attended by Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Amarjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Tek Singh, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami senior Akali leader and former minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, other prominent personalities and a large number of devotees. Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj performed the ardas (Sikh prayer) for the commencement of the third phase, while Singh Sahib Giani Amarjit Singh recited the sacred Hukamnama.

Speaking on the occasion, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the Khalsa March was making the Sikh community aware of anti-Guru and anti-Sikh forces while inspiring the youth to stay away from drugs and remain committed to the Sabat Soorat Sikh identity. He said the Miri-Piri Khalsa March would prove to be a major milestone in promoting Sikhi.

He said young children were enthusiastically participating in the march wearing colourful turbans, while thousands of devotees were joining it. He added that many youths had pledged to be Saabat Soorat and keep their hair unshorn.

Responding to a question about Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri sending an apology to Sri Akal Takht Sahib after recently attending the condolences ceremony of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who was guilty in 1984 Sikh massacre cases, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said sending the apology was a positive step. He said Bidhuri had acknowledged his mistake and sought forgiveness from Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said MP Bidhuri had stated in his apology that he had consistently spoken against Sajjan Kumar because of his role in the anti-Sikh massacre cases. He said attending the condolence of a person held responsible for the Sikh massacre was a sin. He added that several other political leaders, particularly those associated with the Congress, had also attended the event and should take guidance from MP Bidhuri’s apology and seek forgiveness from the Sikh community.

He further said those holding prominent positions who, despite being Sikhs, were not following the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib should take a lesson from MP Bidhuri, whom he described as a non-Sikh.

On the Punjab government’s seven-member committee constituted in connection with the ‘The Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026’, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Sri Akal Takht Sahib had given the government two months to address the issue. He said the government had constituted its committee only when the two-month period was nearing its end, while Sri Akal Takht Sahib had already constituted a five-member committee.

He said government MLAs had already visited Sri Akal Takht Sahib and acknowledged that the objections to the legislation would be addressed. “The provisions objected to by Sri Akal Takht Sahib should be removed,” he said.

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the government had already delayed the matter considerably and should have initiated dialogue before passing the legislation. He said the formation of the committee was welcome, even though it had come late, but the government should first de-notify the passed law for the time being.

“Until the matter is resolved, the government should issue a notification keeping the law in abeyance,” the Jathedar said.

The Jathedar said the government’s formation of the committee proves that it has accepted that there are issues with the legislation. He clarified that the five-member committee of Sri Akal Takht Sahib would hold discussions with the government’s seven-member committee, but the matter could not be resolved until the objections and suggestions raised by Sri Akal Takht Sahib were accepted.

Regarding waterlogging on roads in Sri Anandpur Sahib following rain and the inconvenience caused to Sangat, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the government should ensure high-quality, clean roads leading to all Sikh historical sites and make proper arrangements for drainage.

He said Sangat visiting the Takht Sahib should have a good experience and governments must fulfil their responsibilities by ensuring the necessary infrastructure.

Khalsa March aims to connect youth with Guru Sahib’s teachings’: Advocate Dhami

SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the Panth and its traditions had always remained dedicated to the Guru Sahibs. He said the participation of lakhs of devotees in the first two phases of the Khalsa March demonstrated that the Sikh community remained connected with the philosophy and teachings of the Guru Sahibs.

He said the primary objectives of the Khalsa March were the Chardi Kala of the Panth, welfare of humanity and connecting the younger generation with the philosophy of the Guru Sahibs.

Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the drug menace had become a serious challenge facing Punjab, with thousands of children and youths falling prey to it. He said society had a collective responsibility to protect the younger generation from drugs and show them the right direction.

“Our objective is to take the message of the Guru Sahibs to every household and every village so that the youth can be connected with their heritage, Sikh principles and Gurbani,” he said.

A large number of SGPC members, office-bearers, religious personalities and devotees were present on the occasion, including SGPC junior vice-president Baldev Singh Kalyan; members of the executive committee Diljit Singh Bhinder, Surjit Singh Tughalwal, Dr Jung Bahadur Singh Rai and Bibi Harjinder Kaur; members Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Paramjit Singh Lakhewal, Ajmer Singh Khera, Avtar Singh Raya, Kewal Singh Badal, Bhai Ajaib Singh Abhyasi, Sukhvarsh Singh Pannu, Ravinder Singh Khalsa and Raghbir Singh Saharanmajra; Baba Boota Singh, Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan, Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal and Baba Satnam Singh Kar Sewa Qila Anandgarh Sahib; secretary Gurinder Singh Mathrewal; additional secretary Bhagwant Singh Dhangera and Bijay Singh; assistant secretary Sukhbir Singh; district president Jathedar Sukhvir Singh Sikar; Principal Jasbir Singh; Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib manager Sarabdial Singh; Head Granthi Giani Joginder Singh; in-charge Rajwinder Singh Joga; head preacher Bhai Jagdev Singh; additional manager Hardev Singh; Sandeep Singh Kalota; in-charge Bhai Gurbhag Singh; Baba Baldev Singh Valla; Baba Satnam Singh Majitha Road; Baba Shamsher Singh; Jathedar Mohan Singh Dumewal; Jathedar Harnek Singh; Bhupinder Singh Butter and Mohanjit Singh, among others.