TheUnion government officials were left red-faced when president of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC), Harjinder Singh Dhami, raised the issue of Sikh human rights while welcoming delegates from the Second Education Working Group (EdWG) meeting at the Golden Temple on Friday. Addressing the delegates in Punjabi, Dhami said, “I humbly request you all that human rights are being violated all over the world on a large scale”. Immediatly, Union government joint secretary (higher education) Neeta Prasad and head G-20 EdWG Chaitanya Kumar Prasad, nudged the SDM, who in turn told the SGPC staff that it was a religious visit and no other issue should be raised on this forum. But before the staff could deliver this message, SGPC president switched to English and said, “I pray to all of you to kindly take into consideration that sometimes human rights are violated here in Punjab and India also. So kindly consider that fact, especially in cases involving Sikhs”. It, however, didn’t stop here. Stage secretary Jaswinder Singh also took to the podium right after the President and said, “SGPC president represents Sikhs all over the world. He is requesting you about the violation of human rights. Raise your voice especially for Sikhs.” The SDM then rushed to the stage and told the secretary that the delegates were here on a religious visit, and this was not a place to raise such issues. After that stage secretary started elaborating on the importance of the four doors of Harmandir Sahib. The SGPC had set up a special stage to welcome the G-20 delegates, and they were honoured by Dhami and SGPC members. The G20 delegates from different countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Britain, Bangladesh, America, European Union, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Singapore, Mauritius, Egypt, and OECD, UNESCO, UNICEF visited the Harmandir Sahib and were apprised of its significance and Sikh history. Mann exhorts G20 delegates to be ambassadors of heritage, peace Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday exhorted visiting delegates of a G20 meet to be the "ambassadors of glorious heritage, peace, progress and prosperity" of the state across the globe. Mann, who hosted a dinner for the delegates in the precincts of the Gobindgarh Fort, said Punjab was fortunate to have got the opportunity to host the G20 Education Working Group meeting. The three-day meet concluded on Friday. He urged the dignitaries to be the ambassadors of the "glorious heritage, peace, progress and prosperity of the state in every nook and corner of the world". Punjab is the sacred land of great gurus, saints, seers and prophets, said Mann, adding that ever since its inception, Punjab has remained the cradle of Indian civilisation and culture. He said right from heralding an era of green revolution to safeguarding the frontiers of the country valiantly, Punjabis have left no stone unturned to serve the country in their own humble way. The chief minister said that besides being the nation's food bowl, Punjab also has a distinction of producing several renowned entrepreneurs and industrialists. Mann said that "it is a matter of great pride and honour for us that hardworking Punjabis who are known across the globe for their enterprising skill, resilience and acumen since long have made enormous contribution towards the socio economic development not only in their state, country but also globally".
