- APSCC urges members of Sikh community to stay at home
- First time since 1803, Poonch’s Gurdwara Nangali Sahib not to hold celebrations, Mela in Jammu called off
Precious Kashmir News/UNI
Srinagar/Jammu, Apr 12: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) on Sunday urged members of Sikh community in Kashmir to celebrate Baisakhi at their respective homes and avoid public gatherings since the whole world is battling the COVID-19 at this point of time.
In a statement APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said that time demands that we should follow social distancing and not carry out any celebration in the form of a congregation. He said that any congregation on the occasion of Baisakhi can lead to disaster in the society. “The concerned authorities have already issued directions to maintain social distancing and avoid public gatherings. Gurudwara Prabandhak Committees (GPC) have also advised to refrain from crowding. We should pay attention to the directives and celebrate Baisakhi at our respective homes”, Raina said.
Meanwhile, for the first time in the history since 1803, there will be no celebrations of Baisakhi festival at Gurdwara Nangali Sahib situated in Poonch district due to outbreak of COVID-19.
However, the traditional ‘mela’ organised every year on Baisakhi will also not to be held along Ranbir Canal in Jammu.
All Sikh organisations of J&K have unanimously decided not to organise this year’s Baisakhi festival at the Gurudwara after the religious head directed devotees to follow the protocol of the lockdown to beat the COVID-19. “On the direction of Religious head, we have decided to cancel all religious and social events and the Sangat has been advised to perform functions at their homes,” a Sikh leader said.
Every year a function is held at the gurdwara on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi. Numerous devotees from J&K and around the world participate in the day-long function of Baisakhi.
“Because COVId-19 pandemic is spreading with a strong magnitude, so it is the need of the hour to maintain physical distancing to reverse the contagious disease,” he added.
Meanwhile, the annual fair being organised along the banks of Ranbir Canal has also been cancelled in view of Corona Pandemic.
“At this juncture, a rush of visitors cannot be afforded and it was already decided not to permit organising the mela on the occasion of Baisakhi,” said an official.
