PPCC decides against holding political conference at Shaheedi Jor Mela

Chandigarh, December 22

Respecting the sentiments of the people and keeping in view the sanctity of the occasion, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has decided against holding any political conference during the Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib.

This decision was taken after Chief Minister, Capt. Amarinder Singh, discussed the matter with MP and PPCC President Sunil Jakhar on Thursday morning.

According to a PPCC spokesperson, the Chief Minister felt that the martyrdom day of Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the young Sahibzadas of Tenth Sikh Master Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and his mother Mata Gujari Ji should be observed with utmost reverence. It is a solemn occasion that should not be used by vested interests as a platform to gain political mileage, the Chief Minister felt.

The Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib has been held since time immemorial as an occasion to eulogize the supreme sacrifice of the sons and mother of the 10th Guru. However, people of Punjab felt that it was increasingly becoming a forum for political parties to score brownie points, said the Chief Minister.

Captain Amarinder and Jakhar also appealed to the people, especially political leaders, to offer their tributes to the great martyrs as humble devotees at the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib instead of holding political conferences/rallies. “We appeal to the conscience of all political parties to refrain from holding political conferences on this solemn occasion,” said Jakhar.

Earlier, MLA Fatehgarh Sahib Kuljit Singh Nagra, called on the Chief Minister and apprised him of the sentiments of the general public, who were opposing political conferences at the Shaheedi Jor Mela.

Jakhar said that this decision of the party was in line with the various path-breaking initiatives taken by Captain Amarinder during his earlier tenure as Chief Minister to restore the sacredness of Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib. These had included simplification of langar, banning of sweets, prohibition of entertainment/amusement games, gambling etc.

Meanwhile, the PPCC President urged the Chief Minister to direct the DGP to take all steps to ensure that law and order is maintained during the three-day Shaheedi Sabha to be held from December 25 to 27 to enable the millions of devotees, who are expected to converge at Fatehgarh Sahib not only from the country but from across the globe, to pay their obeisance in a smooth and hassle-free manner.