Akalis pay homage to former SGPC chief,Badals give it a miss

Akalis visiting the village this year. Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan represented the CM,who could not visit due to his health problems.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Punjab ministers Master Mohan Lal,Hira Singh Gabaria,  Ajit Singh Kohar,besides Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa were those among present.

Paying rich tributes to Tohra,Sekhwan described the late leader as one who was rooted and attached to the masses. “His ardent faith in

Sikhism and welfare of the common man had made him a popular figure,who had the rare honour of serving as president of the SGPC for 27 years. He lived a simple life,with focus on the cause of common man”.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar described Jathedar Tohra as a man who had set noble traditions of selfless and devoted service,which needs to be emulated by every member of the Sikh community.

Though the state-level homage-paying function was limited to paying homage,Akali leader Bir Devinder Singh created a flutter by stating that the Shiromani Akali Dal should give ticket for the SGPC polls to only those Akalis who followed the tents of Sikhism fully.

“Before selecting the party candidate,their family members should also be interviewed and it should be seen whether the family is following the true tenets of Sikhism,” he said.

Later,Makkar said that party always took adequate care to select such candidates. He added that the SGPC was making efforts to woo the younger generation,to follow Sikhism in true spirit.

“We are stepping up the activities of the SGPC prachar committee to rope in more follower,” he said.