Chandigarh: Ruling party Congress and opposition Shiromani Akali Dal today said they will not hold any political conference on the occasion of Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab. While Congress decided against any political conference "respecting" the sentiments of people and keeping in view the sanctity of the occasion, the SAD cancelled its conference slated for December 26 on the directions of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.   

Congress took the decision after Chief Minister Amarinder Singh discussed the matter with MP and PPCC president Sunil Jakhar here today, said a party release. According to the PPCC spokesperson, the chief minister felt that the martyrdom day of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the young Sahibzadas (sons) of 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh, and his mother Mata Gujri should be observed with utmost reverence.It is a solemn occasion that should not be used by persons with vested interests as a platform to gain political mileage, the chief minister said.   

The Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib is being held every year to eulogise the supreme sacrifice of the sons and mother of the 10th Sikh Guru. However, the people of Punjab felt that it was increasingly becoming a forum for political parties to score brownie points, Amarinder said. Notably, every year political outfits used to hold a political conference on the occasion at Fatehgarh Sahib.   

Amarinder and Jakhar also appealed to the people, especially political leaders, to offer their tributes to the great martyrs as humble devotees at the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib instead of holding political conferences or rallies.   "We appeal to the conscience of all political parties to refrain from holding political conferences on this solemn occasion," said Jakhar.   

Earlier, MLA Fatehgarh Sahib, Kuljit Singh Nagra, called on the chief minister and apprised him of the sentiments of the general public, who were opposing political conferences at the Shaheedi Jor Mela.   Meanwhile, SAD Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in a statement here said his party has always stood by the directions of the Akal Takht (highest temporal seat of Sikhs).   

He said a large number of people, who come to Jor Mela to pay their obeisance, used to feel bad about the "propaganda of the lowest level spread by some political parties on this revered occasion".   Sukhbir said the party has decided that it would not hold its proposed political conference slated for December 26.