Mazhabi Sikh community insulted: Atwal

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 3

Former Vidhan Sabha Speaker and SAD leader Charanjit Singh Atwal said today that the entire Mazhabi Sikh community was insulted by denying the cremation of renowned former hazoori ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa at Verka village. He said the state government should have taken appropriate steps to ensure the mortal remains of the ragi were not disrespected in this manner.

In a statement here, Dr Atwal said it was unfortunate that the state machinery had allowed ‘manuwadi’ repressive thought to prevail and disrespect the first kirtaniya in the Sikh community to be awarded Padma Shri in the country.

“It is condemnable that the state government did not cremate the mortal remains of Bhai Khalsa with full state honours as he rendered his services to the Sikh community and the state,” he said.

He asked the state government to apologise to Bhai Khalsa’s family for the treatment meted out to his mortal remains. “Such incidents wipe out decades of progress made by the Dalit community. We should ensure they do not occur again,” he said.