Giani Gargaj appeals to Sikhs to unite, announces Panthic Lehar

Newly installed Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who was also recently appointed acting jathedar of Akal Takht, on Saturday reiterated his appeal for the Sikh community to unite and announced the launch of a Panthic Lehar (unity wave) from Baisakhi (April 13).

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: Newly installed Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who was also recently appointed acting jathedar of Akal Takht, on Saturday reiterated his appeal for the Sikh community to unite and announced the launch of a Panthic Lehar (unity wave) from Baisakhi (April 13).

In his brief address as jathedar (head priest) during the Hola Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur Sahib, Giani Gargaj, 40, said: "The Panthic Lehar will be launched from Baisakhi and we will begin with poor Sikh families. The elaborate plan for carrying out the campaign will be declared very shortly. I'm a mere sewadar of the Sikhs, not the jathedar of the Takht. I will work for the unity of the community."

He called upon Sikh organisations, including nihang sampardays, kar sewa babas, missionary colleges, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Damdami Taksal and deras (sects), to stand united for the betterment of the community members living worldwide.

"There are many references in Sikh history that when we are united as a community, we have prospered. Let us learn from the past," he said.