Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti honoring the families of the 13 Shaheeds
Amritsar Sahib (KP) - Speaking from Sri Akal Takht Sahib at the Miri Piri divas, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, appointed Jathedar, honored the families of the thirteen Singhs that were martyred in 1978 during the Nirankaris massacre in which innocent Sikhs were fired at by government supported criminals. Vedanti declared that the sacrifices of the thirteen Singhs could never be forgotten by the Khalsa Panth.
While speaking from the stage, Jathedar Vedanti appealed to the Sikh Nation to remain attached to bani and bana. He urged the Sikhs to not support or associate with the pseudo-scholars who are trying hard to detach the Sikhs from the Khalsa identity. He said that the philosophy of miri and piri is an important aspect of the Sikh religion and neither could be practiced in solidarity. Jathedar Vedanti held that the Sikh Youth of today should learn lessons from the lives of the thirteen Shaheed Singhs of 1978 as they fulfilled the purpose of their lives by adhering to bani and bana at the same time.
Family members of the 13 Shaheeds being honored at Miri-Piri Divas at Sri Akal Takht Sahib
At the event, families of the thirteen Singhs were in attendance and were honored by representatives of Akal Takht Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Miri Piri Divas was held especially to honor the lives of the thirteen Shaheed Singhs and several eminent Panthic personalities were present there. Bhai Narinder Singh (Banaras) and Bhai Gurmej Singh Ji did kirtan. In addition to Jathedar Vedanti, Avtar Makkar (SGPC), Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, and Singh Sahib Giani Jaswinder Singh were also present along with representatives of Bidhi Chand Samparda, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Nihang Dals and officials of the SGPC and Darbar Sahib.
Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh Ji's personal belongings were handed over to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee so that they could be safeguarded at the Sikh Ajaib Ghar Museum. These belongings included shastars and several gold medals that were presented to Bhai Fauja Singh Ji in his honor by different Sikh organizations.
During a seperate event, Giani Raam Singh, Jathedar Damdami Taksal, honored Bhai Ranbir Singh Fauji's family this past week. Bhai Ranbir Singh also became a martyr of the Sikh Nation during 1978 when the Nirankaris shot the thirteen Singhs dead. The honor was given directly to Bibi Kuldeep Kaur, daughter in law of Bhai Ranbir Singh. While talking to the press after the event, Giani Raam Singh held that Bhai Ranbir Singh's sacrifice for the Khalsa Nation could not be forgotten. He urged the Sikh youth to remain away from drugs and to follow the footsteps of the thirteen Singhs and do seva of the Khalsa Panth.
