SHAMBU: Thousands of Sikhs lined up on the sides of the Sher Shah Suri Marg here to give a rousing welcome to “bandi chhor khalsa march’ which entered Punjab from Haryana here Hast week.

The march led by the acting jathedar ‘of the Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh, Bhai Kewal Singh, jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Gini Gurbakash Singh Gulshan from United Kingdom (U.K.), Giani Jagiar ‘Singh Jachhak of the International

Institute and Giani Ranjit ‘Singh, Head Granthi, Gurdwara Seesh Gan) Sahib, Delhi, left Gwalior on ‘(October 15. The march will conclude on October 22at the Akal Takht Sahib at Amritsar, ‘The SGPC chief, Gurchasan Singh Tohra, also joined the Singh Sahibans Joshare the sentiments of the waiting Sikh sangat, although the march was delayed by four hours here, the devotees kept on waiting for it. “The vehicles of Singh Sahibans were followed by a flower decked mini Inick carrying the holy Granth Sahib. This vehicle was followed by 53 jeeps each carrying volunteers who were wearing yellow costumes.

The waiting Sikhs had brought with them fruits for distributing it among the participants of the march. Even tea, sweets, pur is and halwa were also distributed among them.

While talking to media persons, Prof Manjit Singh said that the march had achieved its mission of removing alienation from the Akal Takht and the SGPC among the Sikhs residing outside, Earlier, addressing the gathering organized near the Punjab border 10 welcome of the march, the Deputy Speaker of Haryana Assembly said this march would revive the unity among various communities.

A large number of people lined up on both sides of the road at Fatehgarh Sahib and Sirhind to greet the procession comprising a motorcade of 200 vehicles led by the panj piaras’ (five beloved) Bhai Malkit Singh, Bhai Major Singh, Bhai Bachitar Singh, Bhai Randir Singh and Bhai Dalbir Singh.

The palanquin of Shri Guru Granath Sahib was placed on a well decorated special vehicle. Colorful gates were erected at many places by different organizations, Stalls were set up 10 distribute free fruit, sweets and other eatables.

Gatka’ parties put up a spell binding martial art show, About 400 youth wearing yellow robes boarded 52 jeeps. They were representing the ‘ra jas’ who had been freed by Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib from Gwaliar Jail, ‘This was the main attraction of the procession.

 

Before proceeding from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, the former chief minister Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, attended the ardas.” Speaking on this occasion the SGPC president, Gurcharan Singh Tora, ‘urged the people to join the ‘Khalsa March.”

Acting chief of the Akal Takht, Prof Bhai Majit Singh, said en route from Fatehgarh Sahib to Sichind, that the march had proved the superiority of Akal Takht Sahib. Even the ‘sadhu samaj’ had accepted the sovereignty ‘of this highest temporal seat. Among those who participated in the march were former Akali Ministers, Prem Singh Chandu Majra, Dalip Singh Pandhi, Randhir Singh Cheema, and Singh Calcutta.

Senior Akali leader Thokedar Surjan Singh and formal Akali MLA, Kirpal Singh Libra, welcomed the procession at Sirhind in the afternoon. Thousands bid farewell to the procession at GIT, Sirhind, At Mandi Goibindgarh the procession was warmly welcomed at the Gurdwara Kukar Majra.

It is worthwhile to note that the Damdami Taksal sponsored ‘Amrit Abhilakhi Khalsa March’ will start from Fatehgarh Sahib this week.

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 27, 1995