Seminar recalls role of Sikhs in freedom struggle

Patiala, August 14

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) organised a one-day national seminar at Khalsa College, Patiala, on the contribution of Punjabis in the Indian Freedom Movement.

The seminar focused on the context of Sikh martyrs and it was dedicated to the first martyr of the freedom movement, Bhai Maharaj Singh.

SGPC president Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar highlighted the valuable contribution of the Sikhs in the freedom movement who laid down their lives for the freedom of the country. He regretted that their contribution had not been acknowledged in the recent times and it has been even forgotten by the Central Government. He said history was being altered to minimise the role of Sikhs in the freedom movement.

“Sikhs are the custodian of Indian values and sensibilities but their contribution is being forgotten slowly and gradually due to vested interests,” he said.

The seminar was conducted by the PG Department of History of the college. Principals and teachers of various SGPC colleges and other dignitaries from the city were among those attended the seminar.

Former director, Youth Welfare Department of Punjabi University, Satish Kumar Verma, also underscored the enormous role of Sikhs in the freedom movement with the help of literature.

Principal Dharminder Singh Ubha lamented the fact that the contribution of Sikhs had been forgotten, adding that NGOs, educationists and scholars should come forward on a joint platform to discuss the reasons behind this discrimination. — OC