Amritsar: The Dharam Prachar Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on Friday handed over annual scholarship cheques to 10 postgraduate students pursuing religious studies. The cheques were distributed by SGPC chief Jagir Kaur, who was accompanied by SGPC senior vice-president Surjit Singh Bhitewad, SGPC members Kiranjot Kaur, Bhai Ram Singh, Bawa Singh Gumanpura and Gurpreet Kaur. The SGPC had announced Rs 24,000 annual scholarship to the students studying at Guru Nanak Dev University. “This will inspire others to pursue higher studies in the field of religion and faith,” said the SGPC chief. Assistant secretary Simarjeet Singh, honorary secretary of Akal Takht Dr Gurmeet Singh and in charge Amarjeet Kaur among others were also present. TNS

Virtual ‘Panthic Assembly’ today

Amritsar: To discuss the sacrilege incident and other Panthic issues pertaining to Sikh principles, a ‘Panthic Assembly’ would be held virtually on June 12. Panthic Talmel Sangathan convener Jaswinder Singh said it was for the third time that such an event was being organised online during the pandemic. He said prominent Sikh personalities would take part in the discussion. “After the 2015 sacrilege incident and the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s verdict of scrapping the probe report, role of political parties has come under scanner,” he said. Other issues pertaining to SGPC elections, farmers’ crisis and education related problems would also be discussed. TNS

SAD (Sanyukt) office-bearers

Tarn Taran: Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahampura, patron, SAD (Sanyukt), has condemned Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for not punishing the guilty of sacrilege incidents held during the SAD regime. Jathedar Brahampura, while addressing a meeting of the party workers in Brahampura village on Friday, called upon the people to come forward and form fourth political front to give good governance in the state. He condemned the state government for not fulfilling the promises made to the people at the time of election. SGPC member Balwinder Singh Vein Poin was appointed vice-president of the party, while other office-bearers of the party were also appointed on the occasion. OC

Pak prisoner dies of illness

Amritsar: A Pakistani prisoner identified as Bakhu Ali of Dhahjahan in Kala Pathar (Punjab) died of illness here on Thursday. Ali was recuperating at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. According to jail officials, Ali was mentally unsound. He had inadvertantly crossed over to India in 2019 and was currently facing trial. He was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital a few days ago. The police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC in this regard. TNS