Harish Rawat apologises for comparing PPCC working presidents with Panj Pyare

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1

A day after comparing the working presidents of the PPCC with Panj Pyare, Punjab Affairs incharge Harish Rawat has apologised.

Rawat said he had no intention to hurt the Sikh sentiments and it was wrong on his part to compare the working presidents with Panj Pyare.

He said he held the Panj Pyare in high esteem and had worked for the betterment of the places related to Sikhism in Uttarakhand.

He said that during his tenure as chief minister of Uttarakhand, he was instrumental in providing a road link between Nanakmata Sahib and Ritha Sahib gurdwaras, besides providing a smooth and safe journey for those visiting Hemkunt Sahib.

In Sikh tradition, ‘Panj Pyare’ is the term used for five beloved of the Guru. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the ten Gurus, initiated five men into the order of ‘Khalsa’ (pure).

‘Panj Pyare’ is the name given to five baptised Sikhs who perform a baptism ceremony to initiate Sikhs into the order of the ‘Khalsa’.

On his Facebook page on Wednesday, Rawat acknowledged his “mistake” for his ‘Panj Pyare’ remark.

“Sometimes by expressing respect, you use such words which are objectionable. I too have made a mistake of using the word ‘Panj Pyare’ for my honourable president and four working presidents,” wrote Rawat.

He said he was a student of the country’s history and the leading position of ‘Panj Pyare’ could not be compared with any other.

“I have committed a mistake. I apologise for hurting the sentiments of people,” he said.

Rawat, who is party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, said he will clean a gurdwara in his state with a broom as atonement.

He said that he always had a sense of dedication and respect to Sikh religion and its great traditions.

The Shiromani Akali Dal had taken exception to Rawat’s remarks and had sought an apology for the same.

SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema had slammed Rawat for his remark and had demanded that the state government should book him for hurting sentiments. With PTI