After Jor Mela, bid to rid all Sikh events of politics

JALANDHAR: Having forced political parties to cancel their conferences at Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib this year, Sikh activists who opposed the mixing of politics and religion at the event organized in the memory of the martyrdom of the two younger sons of the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, have now urged the Akal Takht jathedar to ban political rallies at other important Sikh events.
The activists raised the demand for "restoring" the solemnity of these occasions on Friday. They demanded that political rallies not be organized at events like Maghi Mela in Muktsar; Vaisakhi celebrations at Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Chamkaur Sahib; and Holla Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib.

"We have requested the Akal Takht jathedar to ban conferences of political parties, as they indulge in political talk. What they speak has little to do with Sikh history and ethos," said Gurinder Singh Shergill, who sat on a hunger strike for a week to demand an end to political conferences at the mela in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Shergill ended his hunger strike on Friday, after performing an ardaas at Fatehgarh Sahib. "The ban should be permanent, and not just for this year. Religious functions, discourses and related activities should be organized on this occasion," he said.

He said political parties had been maring the solemnity of events important to Sikhs. "We are requesting the Akal Takht to ban all such conferences. Political parties are there because lakhs of people reach there on their own," said Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee head Sukhjit Singh Khosa. "They even held these at Chamkaur Sahib, when Sikhs observe martyrdom anniversary of the two elder Sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh," he said.

"Maghi Mela signifies the battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh and is remembered for the martyrdom of his Sikhs. But, political parties have reduced its significance."