SRINAGAR: Demanding greater recognition of Sikh religious observances, the District Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) Srinagar has urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to declare May 30 as a gazetted holiday on the occasion of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, currently marked as a restricted holiday.
The appeal was made on Sunday during Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary’s visit to Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi in Rainawari, Srinagar, where he paid obeisance and interacted with members of the Sikh community.
DGPC President Jaspal Singh also raised a separate concern, requesting a change in the government-notified holiday from July 5 to June 12 for Parkash Utsav of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, in alignment with the Nanakshahi calendar issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Amritsar).
Responding to the delegation’s concerns, Deputy CM Choudhary assured the community that he would take up both issues with the relevant authorities at the earliest. “The government is committed to supporting every community in achieving their aspirations,” he said.
The Deputy CM also prayed for peace, prosperity, and communal harmony in the Union Territory during his visit to the historic Gurudwara.
