JAMMU: Expressing gratitude to the BJP State President and MLA Sat Sharma for announcing Rs 50 lakh for setting up of Chair in the name of Guru Gobind Singh at Jammu University, Member Legislative Council (MLC), Charanjit Singh Khalsa on Saturday said that the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir had been continuously demanding the setting up of the same but nothing was done during the last over 20 years when Congress and NC were in power.
“With the change of guards at the Centre, Narendra Modi led NDA Government has recognised the valour and sacrifices of Sikhs and the same got strengthened with the allocation of Rs 100 crore in the Union Budget last year for various programmes to be organised in connection with 350th Birthday celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh”, Khalsa told reporters, here today.
He added that Modi’s directions to Indian Embassie s/High Commissions abroad to celebrate the Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh is also an indicator of how much regards his party and the government has for Sikhs and their Gurus.
Charanjit said that the state BJP too has recognized the supreme sacrifices and the stature of Guru Gobind Singh and the entire Sikh community is highly appreciating such a gesture of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He said that setting up of Guru Gobind Singh Chair was a dream project for the Sikh community in the State and it is now hoped that the day is not far when the people will have a study centre equipped with the life history of Guru Gobind Singh.
Charanjit Singh said that may be more money is needed for setting up of the said Chair in Jammu University and he will personally persuade the state BJP to stress on the Union Government to make provision of some more amount for the noble cause.
He also expressed gratitude to Speaker and Gandhi Nagar MLA Kavinder Gupta for announcing financial assistance for Guru Nanak Mission Hospital, Jammu.
Kashmir Sikh Sangat Ex-President Manjit Singh, BJP activists Makhan Singh, Sharan Pal Singh, Harbajan Singh, Rajinder Singh Saraba, Tara Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Manjeet Singh (Baramulla) were also present in the press conference.