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SGPC flays Pak role in Sikh shrines

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee has criticised the 'undue interference' of Pakistani authorities in the affairs of the Sikh holy shrines across the border.

SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh alleged that members of the Sikhjatha, who had gone to Nanakana Sahib to celebrate Baisakhi and returned last week, were perpetually harassed by Pakistani officials. He said that in future the SGPC would not send any religious jathas to Pakistan if this attitude continued.

In a letter faxed to Chief Minister and Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal yesterday, Singh alleged that Pakistani officials, particularly those from the Pakistan Waqf Board, which is entrusted with the task of managing Sikh shrines in Pakistan, allowed certain elements to take control of Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib for unleashing an anti-India propaganda. A copy of the letter was released to the media yesterday.

Singh called upon the chief minister to immediately take up the matter with the Centre.

The letter also pointed out that during the visit, the jatha was not allowed to proceed beyond Nanakana Sahib even though the normal practice has been to celebrate Baisakhi at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.

UNI

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