Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hosted a delegation of eminent personalities and spiritual leaders from the Sikh community at his official residence in New Delhi. The PM also took to Twitter to post a photograph of his meeting with Uday Singh from Sri Bhaini Sahib of Ludhiana, a spiritual leader of the Namdhari sect.
The meeting came ahead of voting for the Punjab Assembly elections on Sunday, 20 February. In a tweet PM Modi said, “Met with eminent personalities of Sant Samaj and Sikh community. These were all the Patwants who spread the Sikh community and culture all over the country and the world and served humanity.” In a video of the meeting shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Sikh representatives were seen gifting a “kirpan” to the Prime Minister.
PM Modi tweeted, “I am very honoured that these esteemed personalities of the Sikh community have lauded the various efforts of the Central Government.”
“I was humbled by the kind words from the distinguished members of the Sikh community on various efforts of the central government.
I consider it my honour that the respected Sikh Gurus have taken Seva from me and their blessings have enabled me to work for society,” added the PM.
Prominent Sikhs who were hosted by PM Modi included Harmeet Singh Kalka, President, Delhi Gurudwara Committee; Padma Sri Baba Balbir Singh Ji Sichewal (Sultanpur Lodhi); Mahant Karamjit Singh, President Sewapanthi, Yamuna Nagar; Baba Joga Singh, Dera Baba Jang Singh (Nanaksar) Karnal; Sant Baba Mejor Singh Waa, Mukhi Dera Baba Tara Singh Waa, Amritsar; Jathedar Baba Sahib Singh Ji, Kar Sewa Anandpur Sahib; Surinder Singh Namdhari Darbar (Bheni Sahib); Baba Jassa Singh Shiromani Akali Budha Dal, Panjwa Takht; Dr Harbhajan Singh, Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta and Singh Sahib Giani Ranjit Singh Ji, Jathedar Takht Sri Patna Sahi.
HM WRITES TO PUNJAB CM
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday assured Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi that the Centre has taken the matter of the alleged links between the banned organisation “Sikhs for Justice” and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seriously and he would personally ensure that the matter was looked into in detail.
Earlier, the Punjab Chief Minister had written to Shah alleging that the banned organization Sikhs for Justice was in touch with AAP. The Union Home Minister said Punjab Chief Minister had requested an investigation against the Aam Aadmi Party taking the help of banned separatist organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for the Punjab Assembly elections.
“A political party maintaining a connection with a banned, anti-national and separatist organization and seeking help in elections is a serious concern for national security. This kind of agenda is in accordance with agenda of the country’s enemies. It is condemnable that these people are joining hands with separatists and working towards threatening Punjab as well as nation’s security in the greed of power,” Amit Shah said in his letter to the Punjab Chief Minister.
The Union Home Minister assured the Punjab Chief Minister that the Central government took cognizance of the matter and would not allow anyone to threaten the country’s unity and integrity. “I personally will ensure that the matter is looked into in detail,” said Shah.
In his letter to the Union Home Minister, the Punjab Chief Minister said, “Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which is a banned organization, is in constant touch with Aam Admi Party. The SFJ has given support to AAP in the elections to the State Assembly in 2017 and similarly in these elections too. The SFJ has exhorted the electorate to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party. This is a serious issue of compromising the security and integrity of the country and thus needs to be investigated. I would urge upon you to immediately get this matter investigated for taking appropriate action in this regard.”
Assembly polls for 117 Assembly seats in Punjab will be held on 20 February. The results will be declared on 10 March.
