Srinagar, Apr 13: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) on Thursday expressed joy and happiness over the festival of Baisakhi and hoped that the festival would be a harbinger of peace and prosperity in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his message APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said that a festival like Baisakhi brings about happiness and joy among the people. He said such festive occasions provide a chance to the people of different communities to come close to each other while exchanging pleasantries.
“For Sikhs, Baisakhi is celebrated as the day of the creation of the Khalsa Panth. Baisakhi is really a sacred and pious day for the community and the community especially the youth should follow the path shown by Guru Gobind Singh Ji for peace and development,” said Raina.
The APSCC Chairman said that every household of Sikh community celebrates Baisakhi day in nearby gurudwaras. “I appeal to all the sikh community on this auspicious day to remain united and calm for redressal of our long pending issues by the government and pray that our issues dont last for long”, Raina said.
The other APSCC leaders who extended greetings include Ajit Singh Mastana, Principal Niranjan Singh, Kanwal Kashmiri, Davinder Singh, Hakumat singh, Indumeet Singh, Master Kuldeep Singh, Sant Singh, Gurdayal Singh, Rajinder Singh, Manjeet Singh and others.
Raina regretted that the successive governments of Jammu and Kashmir have not taken the festival of Baisakhi seriously even though it is very important for the Sikh community.
He said that glaring issues like neglect of Punjabi language, unemployment and relatively less attention to the celebrations and festivals of sikh community are haunting the people of the community.
“After criminalisation of politics in states and UTs now criminals are trying to enter religious organisations. It is my appeal to the Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir to refrain from entertaining any criminal in Gurudwara affairs,” he appealed and stated that the community should segregate themselves from such harmful elements and learn the lesson what happened in the past.
Altaf Bukhari greets people on Baisakhi
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari has greeted the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Baisakhi festival.
Extending greetings to the people, Altaf Bukhari said that the celebration of Baisakhi festival that marks the beginning of harvesting season spreads joy and happiness among the people.
He also hoped that the celebration of this festival will spread peace, prosperity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti greets people on Baisakhi
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has extended her greetings to the people, on the eve of ‘Khalsa Sajna Divas’ ( Baisakhi ) being celebrated on 14th of April, world over.
Terming Sikhism as a true example of patriotism and selfless service to humanity, PDP President prayed for the peace, prosperity and universal brotherhood in J&K.
Highlighting the J&K’s glorious heritage of religious harmony and cultural diversity, former Chief Minister also called for strengthening the bonds between various sections of the society and nurturing communal harmony.
Dr. Farooq, Omar Abdullah greet people on Baisakhi
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party President, Member Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, hoping that the festivity heralds in an era of peace, prosperity, and amity in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a message, Dr Farooq Abdullah extended his greetings to people, especially Sikh brethren and expressed the hope that the festival, which is being observed as New Year as also the founding day of Khalsa Panth, will be celebrated in true spirit of J&K’s celebrated pluralistic culture.
Highlighting the region’s glorious heritage of religious harmony and cultural diversity, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah also extended greetings to the people and prayed for peace and tranquillity in J&K.
Meanwhile General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Addl General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Treasurer Shammi Oberoi, Provincial Presidents Ratan Lal Gupta, Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, MPs Muhammad Akbar Lone, Hasnain Masoodi, Minority Wing functionary Sardar JS Azad have also extended warm greetings to people on the auspicious occasion.
