Cong, Akalis spar over joint function at Sultanpur Lodhi

Resolution moved by CM on carrying forward Guru’s teachings marred by blame game; ruling party accuses SGPC of playing into hands of ‘vested interests’

CHANDIGARH: The blame game over the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) regarding the joint celebrations of the main function at Sultanpur Lodhi marred on Wednesday the special Punjab Vidhan Sabha session dedicated to the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of first Sikh master Guru Nanak.

The discussion on the resolution moved by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh for “carrying forward Guru Nanak’s message of humanism, tolerance and compassion” did not get anywhere with the Congress hitting out at the Shiromani Akali Dal-controlled gurdwara body, accusing it of playing into the hands of “vested interests”.

State tourism and cultural affairs minister Charanjit Channi, who was one of state government’s representative for holding talks with the SGPC for holding the joint celebrations, led the ruling party’s charge, saying the government did not leave any stone unturned to convince it.

The minister said, “Even the chief minister personally requested the SGPC president in this regard. We offered that the November 11 function will be held jointly from the SGPC’s stage whereas it can share state government’s stage for the November 12 event. I don’t know what the SGPC’s interest was. They simply did not bother. It is going to share the stage being set up by the central government on November 9 for the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor. If they can share the stage with the Centre, what is the problem with the government of your own state.”

Congress’ Khadoor Sahib MLA Harminder Gill blamed the SGPC for playing in the hands of “its masters” who he said were behind setting up of a separate stage at Sultanpur Lodhi. “During the 300th anniversary of Khalsa Panth in 1999 and the 400th anniversary celebrations of

Guru Granth Sahib 2004, the then Akali Dal government managed political stages while the SGPC limited itself to religious events. This time, the Sikh body has set up the stage inside Gurdwara Ber Sahib in Sultanpur Lodhi. Why is the SGPC breaking its own rule this time?” said Gill. Leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Saravjit Kaur Manuke said the two functions for the celebrations only confused the devotees and it sent a wrong signal.

Akali MLA Kuldeep Wadala said he could not understand why the government was so keen on organising the main event. “The SGPC is an elected Sikh body. If the state government has to do everything what is the meaning of this body then,” he said

Former SAD minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the joint celebrations could have been held had the state government wanted so. “Attend our function in Kartarpur

on November 9 and we will attend yours on November 11. Come to the SGPC stage on November 12 for the joint celebrations,” he said.

Earlier, Amarinder expressed regret over the joint celebrations not getting materialised. “I still request former CM Parkash Singh Badal to commemorate this occasion on a common platform to send a positive message across the country,” he said.

Targeting the SGPC, rural development minister Tript Rajinder Bajwa raked up issue of telecast rights of ‘kirtan’ and Gurbani from Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) to just one channel. He moved resolution asking the SGPC to allow all TV and radio channels the telecast rights of Gurbani. He also moved a resolution asking the gurdwara body to give women rights to perform ‘kirtan’ in Darbar Sahib but the move was put on hold by the speaker.

› If they (SGPC) can share the stage with the Centre, what is the problem with the government of your own state?

CHARANJIT CHANNI, state tourism and cultural affairs minister