Sajjan Singh paying obeisance at Golden Temple (Photo Credit : Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Member SGPC)
Amritsar, April 20, 2017 : Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan paid obeisance at Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) on Thursday morning. He had arrived in the holy city yesterday.
Sajjan reached Darbar Sahib at 6 am and stayed on till 8 am ahead of the schedule time between 8 am and 10 am. His family accompanied him.
The function organized by SGPC to welcome Sajjan was disturbed when the members of its Task Force foiled attempt by some workers of Akali Dal (Mann) to hand over a memorandum to him. Due to this, the function was hurriedly wrapped up.
Photo Credit : Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Member SGPC
He was accorded welcome by the SGPC in accordance with the Sikh traditions. A special plaque presented to him on the occasion bore an inscription recognising him as an Amrtidhari (baptised) Sikh who attained such a high position on a foreign soil.
Sajjan visited Darbar Sahib as a humble Sikh. When he arrived, Ragi Singhs were reciting Gurbani’s verse "Unite me with Thee, O my merciful Master. I have fallen at Thine Door.”
SGPC president Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla, chief secretary Harcharan Singh, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur and others were present at the welcome function.
Sajjan wrote in the visitors’ book that everything is by the Grace of Waheguru.
He also visited Pingalwara (Shelter for the mentally and physically-challenged) in the holy city.
No top state official was present to formally welcome him on his arrival at Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on Wednesday evening. He was received by Sub-divisional level officers of the Amritsar district.
The representatives of radical Sikh organisations, present outside the airport, were not allowed to meet him.
Sajjan will move to his native village Bambeli in Hoshiarpur district later today where his parents, sister and her family are already present.
He will stay overnight there and might interact with the villagers who have made arrangements to felicitate him.
Sajjan was five when his family had migrated to Canada.