SGPC general house session to elect president and office-bearers on November 20

The general session for the election of the president and other office-bearers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the next year will be held on November 20. This annual gathering has been called at 12 noon at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, situated at the SGPC headquarters.

This decision was taken in a meeting of the executive committee held under the chairmanship of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. During the session, the president, senior vice-president, junior vice-president, general secretary, and members of the executive committee will be elected.

The executive committee passed a special resolution condemning the murder of Bhai Parvinder Singh, who ran a campaign against drugs. The committee expressed concern over the rising drug menace in Punjab and approved placing his picture in the Central Sikh Museum located in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex to remember the sacrifice made by Parvinder Singh.

The committee also strongly condemned the registration of cases against nearly 40 youths protesting against drugs in Mansa, their arrests, the removal of turbans during the action, and alleged misbehavior with women. The SGPC demanded from the Punjab government that the FIRs registered against the youths be canceled immediately, the arrested protesters be released, and strict action be taken against drug traffickers.

It was decided by the committee to provide financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh to the family of Bhai Manpreet Singh, who lost his life due to electrocution while removing posters during a protest march against the murder of Parvinder Singh.

In addition, approval was also given to provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each to 479 Dharmi Faujis who had left their barracks in protest against the attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib in June 1984.

The executive committee also announced a 3 percent increase in the dearness allowance for SGPC employees. At the beginning of the meeting, tributes were paid to deceased members Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur, Jathedar Suba Singh Dabbwali, and Bhai Parvinder Singh with the recitation of Mool Mantar and Gur Mantar.

Key developments

• SGPC general session will be held on November 20 at Teja Singh Samundri Hall
• Election for the president, other office-bearers, and executive committee members for the new year will take place
• Picture of anti-drug leader Parvinder Singh will be installed in the Central Sikh Museum
• 479 Dharmi Faujis will get financial aid of Rs 50,000 each and employees will get a 3 percent DA hike