President Droupadi Murmu paid obeisance at sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple here on Thursday who was earlier received by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Sri Guru Ramdass ji International Airport during her day-long visit to the holy city. This was her first visit to the city after becoming president. Tight security arrangements were made in the city for the President's visit. At the temple, she took “karah prasad” and listened to “Gurbani Kirtan” for a while. On the occasion, the President was presented a robe of honour, a set of Sikh religious books, a replica of the Golden Temple, a set of woollen shawls and a garland of flowers. She also went to Langar Sri Guru Ramdas Ji, sat in the “pangat” (queue) and had langar (food from the community kitchen). During the parikarma (circumambulation) of Sri Harmandar Sahib, President Murmu was briefed about the history, “maryada” (conduct), and Sikh traditions of the holy shrine by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office-bearers and information officers. She was also specially honoured by the SGPC at the information centre of Sri Darbar Sahib. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and other SGPC members were also present on the occasion. President Murmu wrote in the visitors' book, “I am happy to visit Sri Harmandar Sahib and pay obeisance at the holy temple. This holy place with beautiful architecture and divine serenity around it evokes feelings of calmness and harmony. I prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. It was great to see the volunteers working tirelessly in the spirit of service and devotion specially during langar. May the teachings of Sikh gurus continue to inspire us to practise brotherhood and unity.” Murmu visited Jallianwala Bagh and paid her tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. The President wrote in the visitors' book at Jallianwala Bagh that she humbly bows to the country's brave who sacrificed their lives during the unfortunate genocide of 1919. “An indebted nation would always remember the martyrs who scarified everything for the nation. This (Jallianwala Bagh) memorial will always remind coming generations about the importance of freedom and sacrifice of brave freedom fighters made for it, besides motivating them to make contribution to nation building,” she wrote. Before returning to New Delhi, President Murmu also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple and Bhagwan Valmiki Ram Tirath Sthal. CM Bhagwant Mann had accompanied President Murmu during her visits. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also handed over two memorandums to President Murmu – regarding the release of “Bandi Singhs” (Sikh political prisoners) and the repealing of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act, 2014. In the memorandum submitted for the release of “Bandi Singhs”, it was said that despite completion of their jail sentences, the Sikh prisoners are not being released. This is a gross violation of human rights. The SGPC demanded the President to intervene in the matter and to instruct the government to release the Sikh prisoners languishing in different jails. The memorandum had the names of nine Sikh prisoners, including Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera, Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, and Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara. In the second memorandum, it was demanded to repeal the HSGM Act, 2014. It is said that the Haryana government had made this law in an unconstitutional manner. The provisions of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, have been violated while passing the HSGM Act, the memorandum stated. The management of historical gurdwaras of Haryana is still notified under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. It was demanded from the President that immediate action be taken to repeal the 'unconstitutional' HSGM Act, 2014.
