Khalsa Heritage Complex

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Heritage Complex to be completed by next Baisakhi

Kiran Deep

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, April 14

Inaugural function of first phase of the Khalsa Heritage Complex (KHC) here today turned out to be a show of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s religious and political strength the SGPC had protested that the KHC should be inaugurated by ‘Panj Piaras’ not by the CM. Religious heads of Sikh organisations from Delhi, Punjab and prominent Congress leaders were present here.

Amidst chaos the KHC was inaugurated by five eminent Sikh personalities in the presence of the Chief Minister on Baisakhi. However former Jathedar and head granthi of Akal Takht Puran Singh boycotted the function but another former Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode performed Ardas prayer before the inauguration.

Apparently unhappy with the SGPC, although the CM denied that he did not inaugurate the KHC as the SGPC had opposed it but he said I do not care about the SGPC and it has nothing to do about the inauguration of the KHC. He also alleged that Rs 50 crore were allocated for the KHC when Mr Badal was the Chief Minister but he spent only Rs 43 crore and no body knew where he spent the rest of Rs 7 crore.

President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Harvinder Singh Sarna had brought here 40 religious leaders of various orgnisations. Besides, it a large number of heads of the Sikh religious bodies including Baba Manmohan Singh from Baran (Patiala), Baba Hardev Singh Duma, head Damdami Taksal, president of the Sant Samaj Sarbjot Singh Bedi, also joined the CM here.

Confusion prevailed when the CM accompanied by PPCC president Shamsher Singh Dullo, Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and his other Cabinet colleagues Partap Singh Bajwa, Jagmohan Kang, Parliamentary Secretary Industry and Commerce, K.P.S. Rana, Anandpur Sahib MLA, Dr Ramesh Dutt Sharma arrived at 9.45 a.m. here.

The CM along with others immediately left for the PSEB rest house when he learnt that the arrangement made was not appropriate for the religious function. Thereafter priests brought Guru Granth Sahib to gallery room to perform prayer. For an hour, the CM along with others visited the KHC for inauguration.

The CM also announced Guru Gobind Singh Marg from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Anandpur Sahib to Takht Sri Dam Dama Sahib Talwandi Sabo would be extended up to Takht Sri Sach Khand Hazur Sahib by 2008 on the 300th anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He said a blueprint of this project had been conceptualised and modalities were being worked out with the four governments of Haryana, Delhi, Madya Pradesh and Maharashtra to execute this project within the stipulated time.