In the backdrop of a Dalit family in village Maanwala under Tehsil Dhuri of Sangrur being allegedly denied permission to hold Antim Ardaas Bhog in the village Gurudwara, Union Minister and Punjab BJP president, Vijay Sampla on Saturday called up SGPC president, Gobind Singh longowal and requested him to solve the matter.
Kaka Singh and his wife Ranjit Kaur of Maanwala village were stopped from performing the last rites of their mother in the Gurudwara. Providing more information, Sampla said that commotion prevailed when the Dalit family started stocking the provisions for the Bhog inside the Gurudwara a day prior to the rites.
The husband wife duo was asked by the one among those present in the Gurudwara, Ishar Singh and a Panchayat member, Saibi Singh to perform the rites in their own Gurudwara.
“Tuhada apna Gurudwara ae, tussi apne Gurudwarey vich kyun ni paandey Bhog (You have your own Gurudwara, why don’t you hold the Bhog thereIJ)”, Sampla quoted the persons. Not only was the Dalit couple denied permission to hold the Antim Ardaas, they were also refused the utensils. Forced, the Dalit family had to perform the Bhog at their home the next day.
Deeply anguished, Sampla said that he was pained to hear about such an incident from the land of Gurus who always upheld the right to equality. Sampla expressed hope that the SGPC chief will not only amicably solve the matter, but will also ensure that such incidents do not take place in the future.