Barjinder stands by resignation

While the executive committee was pleading with him to reconsider his decision, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra was reportedly criticising him while talking to media persons at Anandpur Sahib, holding Hamdard responsible for the defeat of the Akali Dal in the Adampur Vidhan Sabha by-election, by levelling serious charges against the ruling party leaders.

Reacting to the request of the executive committee of the Foundation, Hamdard said, “Since I do not believe that any of the factors underlined in my letter of resignation had altered, I seeno reason to review my decision”. He said he was touched by the praise showered on him for his role against repression in Punjab over the past decade and a half.

He asserted that as President of the committee and as a humble Sikh, he had tried to project the tercentenary event and the message of the great Gurus on a global scale. The effort was to focus international attention on the event, as well as the unique contribution of the community to the world order.

While expressing his deep sense of gratitude for the trust and affection showered on him, he said he saw no reason to review his decision. However, his services as a common Sikh would always be available to the Foundation for the accomplishment of the historic task.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has reconstituted the State level committee for the tercentenary celebrations.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would be its Chairman, with the Director, Cultural Affairs as the member secretary.