CHANDIGARH: Autonomy for the institution of Jathedar of Akal Takht, unification of various factions of the Shiromani Akali Dal, implementation of various features of the Preamble to the Constitution in letter and spirit, reexamination of center state relations, transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab and settlement of the rivers water dispute were the issues raised at a special congregation held at the Sector 19 gurdwara to mark the 154th death anniversary of Maha raja Ranjit Singh last week.

Prominent scholars like Dr Jaswant Singh Neki, a former Director of the PGI and one of the founders of the AllIndia Sikh Stu dents Federation, Dr. Yunus Saleem, MP and former Governor of Bihar, Jagmeet Singh Brar, MP. Gurtej Singh, Ashok Singh Bagrian, Prof Piara Singh Padam and others addressed the congregations.

Dr.Neki advocated autonomy for the institution of Jathedar of Akal Takht as he felt that the Jathedar should not be a subordinate to a committee whose job was primarily to manage gurdwaras and not the Sikh religion,

Brar held that the Sikh community was undergoing the worst traumatic experience ever sine it came into being. he said highlighting the plight of the people and their grievances was being described as antinational. The minorities were feeling suffocated even in Parliament, he added,

Yusuf Jameel compared the Mughal Emperor Akbar and Ma haraja Ranjit Singh, saying both were secular and popular rulers. Both were powerful as well.

Gurtej Singh stressed the need for unity among various factions of the Akali Dal,

In the resolutions passed at the congregation, demands for the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, settlement of rivers waters dispute in accordance with the Riparian law, reexamination of center state relations, setting up of a Punjabi academy at Chandigarh, use of Punjabi for all official correspondence in Punjab and starting of an English newspaper by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhiak Committee were made.

Both Dr.Neki and Brar were presented mementos by the management of the gurdwara.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 9, 1993