Shaurya Sharma
Fatehgarh Sahib. May.14, 2020: Giani Harpreet Singh Jathedar Akal Takhat while addressing the Sirhind Fateh Divas function at Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib today said that it is dire need of the hour that all the Sikhs and Sikh organizations must unite under the aegis of Akal Takhat, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs to defeat the anti Sikh forces, which had been active since long for their vested interests and causing great loss to the community may not succeed in their mission. The history teaches that as the Sikhs united under the leadership of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and they succeeded in defeating Mughals and setting up Sikh rule.
He appreciated the role of SGPC in serving the needy, poor and down trodden in wake of COVID threat and for providing not only food but also offering Sarais and premises of Gurudwaras for isolation of COVID suspects. He said that Sikh Community has earned a great reputation by serving langer to needy all over the world, but certain anti Sikh forces are again trying to defame Sikhs alleging them responsible for spread of COVID, which is unfortunate.
Congratulating the Sikh community on eve of Sirhind Fateh Divas, he said that after the martyrdom of younger sons and mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who were bricked alive at Fatehgarh Sahib in 1704 at the behest of the then Mughal Governor Wazir khan, Guru Gobind Singh Ji dispatched Madho Dass Bairagi, now popularly known as Banda Singh Bahadur, to Punjab with the mission of putting an end to the Mughal tyranny in Punjab. He was handed over a ‘Hukamnama’ by Guru Gobind Singh, directing his devotees to unite and follow him. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur after defeating rulers on the way finally reached Chappar Chiri village 12 miles from Sirhind. On 12th May 1710, Mughal Governor Wazir Khan marched to Chappar Chiri to challenge the forces of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and was decisively defeated by the Sikh forces. On 14 May 1710, the victorious Sikh force under the leadership of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur took over the control of Sirhind. Hence, this day is known as ‘ Sirhind Fateh Diwas’.
Bhai Harpal Singh Head Granthi Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib performed the concluding Ardas on the eve of Sirhind Fateh Divas. Jathedar Swarn Singh Chanarthal District President SAD(B), Karnail Singh Panjoli, Didar Singh Bhatti Halka Incharge for SAD(B) Fatehgarh Sahib, Sher Singh former President MC Sirhind also addressed.