Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to all political parties not to hold any political conferences during the event...

SPOKESMAN NEWS SERVICE: CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 14: Keeping in view the sanctity of the Shaheedi Jor Mel, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to all political parties not to hold any political conferences during the event. Neither the Congress party nor the State Government would organise any public function during this solemn occasion at Fatehgarh Sahib, he said.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister Office said that the appeal by Captain Amarinder Singh came in view of the martyrdom day of Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger Sahibzadas of Tenth Sikh Master Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and his mother Mata Gujari Ji, which should be observed with utmost reverence.

Since it is a solemn occasion it should not be used by vested interests as a platform to gain political mileage, the Chief Minister felt. The Shaheedi Jor Mel in Fatehgarh Sahib has been held since time immemorial as a mark of respect to eulogize the supreme sacrifice of the sons and mother of the tenth Sikh Guru. However, the people of Punjab felt that it was increasingly becoming a forum for political parties to score brownie points, said the Chief Minister.

Captain Amarinder Singh also appealed to the people, especially political leaders, to offer their tributes to the great martyrs as humble devotees and pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib instead of holding political conferences/rallies.

Notably, this decision was in line with the various path-breaking initiatives taken by Captain Amarinder Singh during his earlier tenure as Chief Minister to restore the sanctity of Shaheedi Jor Mel at Fatehgarh Sahib. These had included simplification of langar, banning of sweets, prohibition of entertainment/amusement games, gambling etc. The Punjab Government led by Captain Amarinder Singh did not hold state level public function last year.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also directed the DGP to take all necessary steps to ensure that law and order is maintained during the three-day Shaheedi Sabha to be held from December 26 to 28 to enable the millions of devotees, who are expected to converge at Fatehgarh Sahib not only from the country but from across the globe, to offer their prayers in a hassle-free manner.