*SGPC striving to build public consensus on mercy petition regarding Balwant Singh Rajoana
**SGPC to provide Rs 5 lakh each to families of 4 Sikhs killed in Poonch
Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has announced that it will soon take a decision regarding the mercy petition filed by Sikh body in the matter of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. During a meeting of the SGPC’s Executive Committee (EC), held under the leadership of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, a serious discussion was held on a three-page letter written by Rajoana to the SGPC President. The SGPC affirmed its commitment to resolving this significant community issue at the earliest.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dhami stated that Rajoana had written a detailed letter to the SGPC in which he highlighted the discrimination faced by Sikhs at the hands of governments. The letter also mentions Rajoana’s request for the SGPC to withdraw the mercy petition filed on his behalf.
Calling it a matter of community’s concern, Dhami said the SGPC is making efforts to build a consensus by holding consultations with Panthic representative bodies, Nihung Singh groups, and Sikh sampradas. Two meetings have already taken place, and another meeting is scheduled for May 17 in Chandigarh with Sikh judges and lawyers. After that, a representative Panthic gathering will be convened, and a decision will be made in line with Panthic sentiment.
Sharing details of other decisions made during the meeting, Dhami said the SGPC has decided to give Rs 5 lakh aid to the families of the four Sikhs killed recently in an attack in Poonch, Jammu amid India Pakistan tensions. He said this is an extremely painful time for the bereaved families, and the SGPC will extend all possible help to them.
Additionally, he informed that the SGPC EC approved the display of portraits of Giani Mohan Singh (ex-head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib), former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, Baba Inderjit Singh Raqbewale, Baba Bishan Singh (Tarna Dal, Baba Bakala), and SGPC member Randhir Singh Cheema at the Central Sikh Museum.
