NEW DELHI: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has organised Khalsa Fateh March from Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib in Delhi today on the occasion of 300th birth anniversary centenary of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, the great Sikh General on Sunda .
The Sikh General Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, along with his fellow Generals, had hoisted the Kesri Nishan (Sikh flag) on the Red Fort after conquering Delhi and installed the Mughal Empire’s Takht-e-Taus after tying and dragging it behind elephants at the Guru’s feet at Sri Darbar Sahib. It is because of this incident of history that the Khalsa Fateh March has been started for Amritsar with Panthic (community’s) tradition from Delhi.
Before starting the Khalsa Fateh March, Gurbani Kirtan was performed at Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib and after ardas (Sikh prayer), the holy saroop (scripture) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was enshrined in the palanquin by former SGPC President Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal. At start of the march, the management honoured the Panj Piaras (five beloved ones), Nishanchi Singhs (flag bearers) and prominent personalities with Siropaos (robes of honour).
The Khalsa Fateh March started from Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib and passed through Delhi’s Shankar Road, Patel Nagar, Shadipur, Moti Nagar, Ramesh Nagar, Raja Garden, Rajouri Garden, Tagore Garden, Subhash Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Jail Road, Hari Nagar and reached Gurdwara Chote Sahibzade in Fateh Nagar. On the way, the Sangat (devotees) enthusiastically participated in the Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) and arranged langar (community kitchen food) at many places. The devotees paid respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib in palanquin and honoured the Panj Piaras and Nishanchi Singhs with Siropaos. During the Khalsa Fateh March, a special bus with historical relics and armours of the Sikh generals remained the center of attraction for the devotees.
Former SGPC President Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal at the beginning of the Khalsa Fateh March, congratulated the Sikh community and said that to commemorate the great Sikh General Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on the occasion of his 300th birth centenary, the centenary events have been started from Delhi.
He said that the role of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia during the conquest of Delhi by the Khalsa Panth is an achievement of Sikh history, that is why Delhi has been chosen for special events. He said the SGPC is organising three-day events in Delhi. He said that the need of the day is to connect the youth with Sikh history and heritage, for which centennial celebrations play an important role. He said that the Khalsa Fateh March which started today has received full support from various Sikh organizations and Sangat of Delhi. He said that this march will be conclude at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar on May 4.
Those present in Khalsa Fateh March included former SGPC President Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal, SGPC General Secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, SGPC members Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta and Bhai Ram Singh, senior Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Hira Singh Gabaria, President of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi Paramjit Singh Sarna, President of JAGO party Manjit Singh GK, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmeet Singh Kalka, DSGMC General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, DSGMC members Bibi Ranjit Kaur and Sukhwinder Singh Babbar, Kuldeep Singh Bhogal, Sukhdev Singh Rayat, SGPC additional secretaries Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Bijai Singh, Simarjit Singh, assistant secretaries Tejinder Singh Padda, and Kuldeep Singh Rode, in-charge of SGPC Sikh Mission Delhi Surinderpal Singh Samana, Jasvir Singh Jassi, manager Sukhraj Singh, in-charge Major Singh, Manjit Singh, Kartar Singh, head preacher Bhai Sarabjit Singh Dhotian.
Tableau of carrying Takht-e-Taus of Mughal Empire remained center of attraction
Two tableaus prepared by supporting Sikh organizations during the Khalsa Fateh March were the center of attraction for the congregation. These tableaus were decorated on special vehicles and included in religious procession.
The SGPC General Secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal said about these tableaus that efforts have been made to inform the people about the history of Sikh Generals in the Khalsa Fateh March. He said, through the tableaus, it was shown how Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and his fellow Sikh generals, after conquering Delhi, uprooted away the Takht-e-Taus of the Mughal Empire to Amritsar. He said that it is an achievement of Sikh history that the Sikhs uprooted the Takht-e-Taus of the Mughal Empire on which the tyrannical emperor used to issue orders. This platform of Takht-e-Taus is still present at Bunga Ramgarhia in Sri Darbar Sahib at Amritsar.
Meanwhile part of events being organised by the SGPC dedicated to the 300th birth anniversary of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, the Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) will be held at DDA Ground in New Delhi on April 17. In this congregation, the groups of famous raagi of Sikh community will perform Gurbani Kirtan and Dhadi Kavishar (balladeers and poetry) groups will share Sikh history. Senior Sikh leaders and prominent personalities will also address the congregation during the event. The event will be held from 5 pm to 12 am on April 17.