TAXILA: A Nagar Kirtan was held on Tuesday at the Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal to mark the 354th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh — the 10th spiritual Sikh master — amid strict observance of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

A Nagar Kirtan is a Sikh custom involving singing of hymns. A large number of Sikhs from across the country, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, participated in the event. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) made necessary arrangements for the occasion. Adequate measures were put in place by the police department to ensure security.

Punjab Human Rights and Minority Affairs Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine was chief guest at the anniversary celebrations. Speakers from the Sikh community paid tributes to Guru Gobind Singh who was a warrior, poet and philosopher, especially notable for founding the Khalsa - considered to be the highest order in the religion.

Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary observed

Pardhan of the committee Sardar Satwant Singh said Jan 5 was a special day in the Sikh faith as it marked the birth anniversary of the 10th guru, adding that Gobind Singh became a guru at the age of nine after the death of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur and was assassinated in 1708 at the age of 41.

Mr Augustine said participation in such events by people from different faiths helped build understanding of traditions and beliefs of minorities.

He said they were happy that under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government had stood by religious minorities, adding that it would fulfill its promise of religious freedom as envisaged by the father of the nation.

The government is providing all possible resources to minorities for their welfare, he said, adding that diversion of water from the temple would be addressed with consultation from relevant departments.

Whilst talking about the incident last week in Karak when an angry mob set a Hindu temple on fire, he said a foreign hand was involved in the incident, adding that elements involved in the case were the ones who had been exposed by the European Union’s DisinfoLab.

He said the government had announced that it would rebuild the temple and those involved in the incident would be dealt with an iron hand as per law.

“We will ensure protection of sacred places of minorities at any cost,” he said.

Responding to another question, Mr Augustine said the Punjab government was taking special measures to protect the rights of children along with other citizens.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2021