Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, a former acting SGPC president and an Akali stalwart, today underlined the need for new methods for propagation of Sikhism to usher in a renaissance in the Sikh religion and to bring back those who had got weaned away from the faith. He was addressing the 86th Jor Mela at nearby historic Palahi village on the concluding day. The three day Jor Mela was held to observe the fifth battle fought by the sixth Guru Hargobind, against the Mughal rulers at Palahi village in 1634.
Jathedar Bhaur told the congregation that he was not satisfied with the traditional ways of propagation of Sikhism, confined to the gurdwara.
The emergence of godmen like Baba Ashutosh and Piara Singh Bhaniara, the episode at Talhan, the distribution of trishuls and lathis were stagemanaged to erode Sikhism, which championed the cause of humanity, he said. He also held that the satellite channels responsible for diluting spiritual values. He attributed the present plight of Sikhism to the penchant for taking religious preachings casually.
The Punjab Social Welfare Minister, Mr Joginder Singh Mann, while addressing the congregation, eulogised Guru Hargobind as the author of the concept of saint-soldier. Sikhism stood for the well-being of one and all, added Mr Mann. Both Jathedar Bhaur and Mr Mann were honoured with siropas. Noted ‘Dhadi’ singers included Swaran Singh Maheru, Jawala Singh Patanga, Jaswant Singh Josh and Ram Singh Raftar.