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Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hugs, handshakes mark end of 40-yr-old tussle over shrine land
1 2 Varanasi: A long-pending dispute over a place of worship between two religious groups is rarely resolved over hugs, handshakes and sweets. But it happened in Varanasi's Jagatganj on Tuesday. A 3500 square feet premises here that houses a century-old Bade Hanuman Temple and that's also considered sacred by Sikhs as it is claimed that Guru Tegh Bahadur had paid visit to the site had been locked for over 40 years following claims and counterclaims and lawsuits in courts. Following efforts by the local community, a few mediators and a genuinely good gesture by the religious leaders of both sides, the issue was amicably resolved on Tuesday. It was a sight of rare warmth and prudence. "The series of meetings between the temple committee's Shyam Naryan Pandey and Gurdwara committee's office-bearers and representatives, including Sardar Karan Singh Sabharwal and Sardar Paramjit Singh Ahluwalia, helped us reach a historical conclusion," said Pradeep Narain Singh, who belongs to freedom fighter Jagat Narain Singh's family. Singh mediated and convinced the administrators and authorised representatives of the Shri Bade Hanuman Temple Management Committee and Gurdwara Management Committee to bury the decades-old hatchets and reach an amicable solution. Both groups expressed their happiness and celebrated the moment by exchanging sweets and garlands as the symbolic lock on the disputed land was finally removed after both sides reached a mutual understanding. Now, this site will accommodate both a Hanuman temple and a Gurdwara, said temple committee's Shyam Naryan Pandey. The Gurdwara Management Committee expressed its gratitude and acknowledged the support of the administrative departments and officials of Varanasi. The dispute over the ownership of the land, which was donated by Jagatganj natives for the construction of a gurdwara and a temple, mainly started in 1980. The assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, followed by anti-Sikh riots, aggravated the situation. After the situation started normalising, the tug-of-war for the ownership of the land intensified, and the dispute took an ugly turn, finally ending up in the courtroom. The district administration sealed the plot as a preventative measure due to rising tensions. Regular court hearings in this case began in 2014.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tehran gurdwara closed? Now, local Sikhs claim it's open
Amritsar: There is confusion over the closure of the lone gurdwara in Tehran, the national capital of war-hit Iran, with some local Sikhs claiming on Saturay that they had never closed down the shrine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They, however, clarified that they were not carrying out the daily parkash (ceremonial waking up) of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sources said the conflicting statements were the outcome of internal politics. Amardeep Singh Anand, a Sikh from Tehran, said the gurdwara had never been closed down during the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and they were committed to safeguarding the saroops of Guru Granth Shaib. "Three of the saroops are newly installed, and the community wishes to retain them in Iran. We are capable of securing them, even under the worst conditions," he said. One saroop, he added, geld deep emotional and historical significance for the community, and they did not intend to send it to India. He confirmed that the remaining two saroops were being considered for relocation to India for their safety. Anand's clarification came soon after an unnamed statement by the Gurdwara Management Committee (GMC), Tehran, claimed that Tehran's Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurdwara (BGSSG) had been open throughout the conflict, but without the parkash of Guru Granth Sahib. The unnamed statement from GMC also stated that the daily prayer, Panj Bani, was recited every morning and the Rehra Sahib every evening. "Only the parkash is not being conducted temporarily. This decision was taken out of deep respect, to prevent any possibility of beadbi (disrespect), especially during these trying times," the statement read. In recent past, BGSSG former vice-president Lajpal Singh Anand and former Tehran resident Singh Chandok claimed that the gurdwara had been closed due to safety reasons. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An Iranian gardener, Abbas, and a caretaker, Harjit Singh, are in the gurdwara where four saroop of SGGS have been placed. Reacting to the statement, Anand said the management reopened the gurdwara on Saturday morning only, after the issue was raised through media. "They reopened under pressure from the global Sikh community," said Lajpal, adding that the committee had itself admitted to the parkash of Guru Granth Sahib being suspended. He refuted the claim that Panj Bania and Rehra Sahib were being recited every morning and evening. Puneet Singh Chandok, president of the Indian World Forum, also claimed that the gurdwara was closed and opened on Saturday only, after the issue was raised in media. Amardeep Singh refused to comment on claims by Singh Chandok and Lajpal Singh.
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
No tobacco, bidi, paan, or halal shops to run in Mohali, says acting Akal Takht jathedar Gargajj
The acting jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Sunday declared that no shops selling tobacco, bidi, paan, or halal meat will be allowed to operate in the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) region. Speaking at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, Sohana, during a special prayer event organised by the Gurdwara Management Committee for world peace and an end to Indo-Pak tensions, Jathedar Gargajj emphasised, 'Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) is the sacred land of martyrs, and it must remain pure. The district administration will soon be asked to shut down such shops.' Expressing concern over the growing social challenges faced by native Punjabis, Jathedar Gargajj urged the Sikh community to strengthen internal unity. 'The Sikh Panth must prioritise unity to face future challenges effectively,' he said. He referred to the recent killing of two youths in Mohali's Kumbra village, reportedly by migrant Punjabis, calling it a 'wake-up call for our existence in our own homeland', He stressed the need for the community to 'set aside divisions and unite to prevent such inhumane incidents in the future'. On this occasion, the Gurdwara Management Committee honoured Jathedar Gargajj for his guidance and contribution to social causes. Parvinder Singh Sohana, senior Akali Dal leader from Mohali, thanked the Jathedar for his direction and commitment to Panthic service.'With strong leadership, the Sikh community will overcome all challenges,' he said. Other dignitaries present included Committee president Harjinder Singh, vice-president Satwinder Singh, members Jarnail Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Akali Dal spokesperson Shamsher Purkhalvi, chairman Jasbir Singh Jassa, leaders Sukhwinder Singh Chhindi, Billa Chhajjumajra, Harvinder Singh Lambardar, Advocate Gagandeep Singh, former Sarpanch Gurpreet Singh, Captain Ramandeep Singh Bawa, Lambardar Harinder Singh Sukhgarh, Jatinder Singh JP, and Kuldeep Singh.
