The supporters of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) have decided to hold a ‘Sikh convention’ to counter the proposed ‘massive’ Panthic conference of Sikhs from all over the world at Amritsar to be held on July 27 by ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.
Jagdish Singh Jhinda, president of ad hoc committee for separate body of Haryana Sikhs in Haryana said, “As Punjab CM has been misguiding the Sikh community on HSGMC issue, we have decided to convey our message at mass level in our community. For this, we have called a meeting on July 21 to decide on the proposed ‘Sikh convention’ in Haryana.” The development cropped up following the decision taken by SAD’s core committee meeting held on July 19 in Chandigarh, for holding world Sikh conference in Darbar Sahib at Amritsar on July 27. Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal had himself chaired the meeting.
Jhinda, while talking to The Pioneer, said, “Earlier, our Sikh convention was planned after taking the possession of all gurdwaras from Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) here, but now, due to instigation of Badal and SGPC unnecessarily, we are thinking to hold it (convention) before taking possession of the Gurdwaras.” He added they have already started conveying their messages to the Sikhs in England, Canada and America through local media, news channel and radio, including Sikh Channel and Voice of Khalsa there.