Phagwara: SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar has said that he would oppose at every level the appointment of a non-baptised Sikh as chief of the management board of Takht Hazur Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra. If needed, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard, he said.
Makkar termed the recent appointment of BJP MLA Tara Singh by Maharashtra government as board’s chief a “blatant violation of established Sikh tenets, the highly venerated Sikh norms and ‘maryada’ and direct interference in the religious affairs of Sikhs.” He alleged that a non-baptised Sikh was appointed by Maharashtra government to the key post despite opposition from all concerned quarters, including Sikh ‘sangat’. “If required, I will lead a delegation to PM Modi for seeking his intervention in this connection,” he said, adding, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had written to Modi in this connection.
Earlier, addressing 12th annual religious function at Bhai Kannhaiya Kendra here, Makkar pleaded with all, especially Sant Samaj and Sikh Sangat, to make concerted endeavours for preserving Sikh ethos, 'Sikhi swaroop’ (form) and the high values of Sikh Gurus and martyrs.
He expressed serious concern at growing trend of apostasy in the community. Claiming the SGPC was doing everything for preserving ‘Sikhi’, Makkar said that 15,000 youths with ‘dastars’ (turbans) will take out a march on June 19 marking the 350th anniversary of Anandpur Sahib foundation.
