Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee issues appeal for a firecracker-free Gurpurab

We can’t even think of implementing SC orders unless general masses are involved and made aware about the perils of crackers. MANJINDER SINGH SIRSA, spokesperson, DSGMC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has appealed to the Sikhs in the national capital region (NCR) and adjoining areas not to indulge in fireworks on the occasion of Gurpurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, that falls on November 4 this year.

“Like previous years, we will have cracker-free Gurpurab this year as well. The festivities would include lighting lamps and help- ing the poor,” Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal and general secretary, DSGMC.

DSGMC’S cracker-free appeal for Gurpurab comes close on the heels of pollution levels soaring across Delhi due to fireworks this Diwali despite a Supreme Court ban on the sale of crackers. The community also celebrated Diwali on Thursday without fireworks, Sirsa, the SAD-BJP MLA from Rajouri Garden said.

“There were no fireworks during Diwali celebrations at over 660 gurdwaras, which include ten historical ones. Our seventh guru, Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, had spread the message of environment conservation,” Sirsa said.

For the Sikh community, Diwali assumes significance as it celebrates Bandi Chhorh Divas or “Prisoner Release Day”, marking the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 others in 1619.

“Apart from appealing to the general public, we will involve schoolchildren to generate awareness on environment and pollution,” he said. “We can’t even think of implementing Supreme Court orders unless general masses are involved and made aware about the perils of crackers,” he said.