Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj Attends 133rd Death Anniversary Commemoration of Maharaja Duleep Singh in UK

- Sikhs Must Remain Connected with Punjab, Rise Above Internal Differences: Jathedar Gargajj

- Calls for Preservation of Sikh Heritage and Roots in Punjab

Thetford, UK, October 31:Kanwar Partap Singh / Tajeemnoor Kaur 

Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj attended a commemorative event organised by Sikh youth and the sangat (community) in the United Kingdom (UK) at Thetford to mark the 133rd death anniversary of Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
On the occasion, the Jathedar first visited the memorial of Maharaja Duleep Singh, where his statue has been made in Thetford, along with members of the Sikh sangat. He also visited the nearby ‘Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life’, which was given in 1921 by Maharaja's son, Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, and handed over to Thetford Town to be used as a museum.
Notably, the historic house dates back to 1490, the contemporary period of the Sikh Gurus. It was originally built by a merchant and was later purchased by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh. The building has retained its original historic structure to this day, which is appreciable.
At the Ancient House Museum, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj viewed historical artefacts associated with Maharaja Duleep Singh, his five sons and three daughters. These memorabilia have been collected from various families connected with the Maharaja by UK-born Sikh Bhupinder Singh Bance (Peter Bance) and carefully preserved at the museum.
Thereafter, the Jathedar visited the site at Elveden, near Thetford, where Maharaja Duleep Singh, his wife Maharani Bamba Duleep Singh and their youngest son, Prince Edward Albert Duleep Singh, are buried.
On the occasion, a group of young Sikh kavishars (balladeers), comprising Tarandeep Singh, Simardeep Singh and Amarinder Singh, paid tribute to Maharaja Duleep Singh by singing poetry based on his life and history. A large number of members of the Sikh community attended the event. Mayor of Luton Council Javed Hussain also addressed the gathering, welcoming the dignitaries and paying tribute to the Maharaja.
Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, had passed away in exile in Paris, France, in 1893, while yearning for the welfare, progress and prosperity of the Khalsa Panth and Punjab.
He said Maharaja Duleep Singh's love for Sikhi and Punjab, and his eventual return to the Sikhi, inspired Sikhs to remain connected with their religious traditions and ancestral land and work for its progress and prosperity.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Maharani Jind Kaur, fulfilling the role of a devoted mother, had inspired Maharaja Duleep Singh to return to Sikhi and had also strengthened his resolve to struggle for the restoration of Sikh rule in Punjab. He said there was a need to draw inspiration from Maharani Jind Kaur, who, despite extremely difficult circumstances, succeeded in reconnecting her son with the Sikhi.
He added that the pain of Punjab would always remain in the hearts of Punjabis. Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharaja Duleep Singh should always be remembered with pride and on a wider scale, he said.
The Jathedar said that some anti-Sikh and mischievous writers had attempted, through their writings, to undermine the image and legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and continued to do so. However, he said, such attempts would never succeed, as Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule and kingdom was guided by the principles of Gurmat (Sikh Guru’s wisdom) and was known for justice, equality and an exemplary system of governance.
He urged Panthic writers and scholars to make special efforts to strengthen and promote an authentic historical narrative rooted in Sikh values about Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharaja Duleep Singh at the international level.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining ties with Punjab, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Gargajj said Sikhs should never permanently leave their ancestral land, as it is our heritage and homeland. Punjab, he said, drew its identity and spiritual strength from the names of the Sikh Gurus, and it was from this land that the philosophy of Gurmat spread across the world.
He said the growing trend of selling ancestral land in Punjab and permanently settling abroad was not desirable, warning that its long-term consequences could be serious. While people were free to travel anywhere in the world for work and livelihood, they should never sever their roots with Punjab.
Referring to Maharaja Duleep Singh's return to Sikhi, the Jathedar said it was his inherent Sikh spirit that ultimately brought him back to his true faith. This, he said, should serve as an inspiration, expressing confidence that Sikh youth would also return to their religious roots.
He further urged Sikhs to understand and firmly counter narratives promoting hatred against the community.
The Jathedar observed that Sikhs today often engage in disputes over minor issues while overlooking larger Panthic concerns. He called upon the community to rise above internal conflicts and differences and work collectively for the larger interests of the Panth and the vision of the Sikh Gurus.
Emphasising the need to preserve Sikh heritage, the Jathedar said the statue of Maharaja Duleep Singh in Thetford and its surrounding area required further maintenance and conservation. He appealed to Sikh organisations in the UK to come forward and undertake a joint initiative to preserve and improve this important historical legacy.