Granth leading light against violence: Kalam

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today called upon the nation to live up to the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib at a function largely taken over by the Shiromani Akali Dal, seen as sidelining Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Kalam, who arrived at Rajasansi Airport an hour behind schedule, reached Golden Temple amid tight security. Sporting a white scarf on his head, Kalam went to the sanctum sanctorum and bowed before the Guru Granth Sahib. Then, guided by former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, he took a sip of the holy water at Har Ki Pauri and partook of the Karah Parshad. Head granthi Giani Puran Singh bestowed a siropa (robe of honour) on the President.

In his message to the nation, which he read out at the ceremony organised by the SGPC outside the Golden Temple complex, he appealed to the people to live up to the teachings of the Granth. ‘‘The Guru Granth Sahib is the guiding light at a time when society is facing hatred and violence,’’ the President said.