KUP ROHIRA (SANGRUR) NOVEMBER 29: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to set up a world class memorial in Doaba region at a cost of Rs.300-400 crore to showcase the rich legacy of numerous freedom fighters, patriots and martyrs of Punjab, who made significant contribution in the Indian freedom struggle. Addressing a mammoth gathering here after dedicating the prestigious ‘Wadda Ghallughara Martyrs Memorial’ to the humanity and Khalsa Panth after the Ardas ceremony performed by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh amidst chanting of ‘Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal’ to pay a befitting tribute to the 30000 Sikhs who attained martyrdom in a fierce battle with the army of over a lakh soldiers led by the Mughal emperor Ahmed Shah Abdali in Kup Rohira on February 5, 1762. Mr. Badal said that state-of-the-art memorial would be erected somewhere in Doaba on the pattern of Virasat-e-Khalsa recently dedicated to the mankind at Sri Anandpur Sahib which had been conceptualized to depict vividly the history of Sikhism spanning over 550 years. He said that the final decision for the selection of site, design and pattern for the upcoming memorial would be cleared in next Cabinet meeting slated to be held at Chandigarh on December 3. Mr. Badal lauded the role of Punjabis for making more than 80% sacrifices in the national freedom struggle despite the fact they merely constituted two-and-a-half percent of country’s population. He said that Punjab had played a unique and unparalleled role in the freedom movement. He said: "Punjabis have a prominent place and we are proud of their brave and unique contributions. Mr. Badal said that the rich legacy of unprecedented sacrifices made by martyrs would act as a light house in the form of the upcoming memorial to guide the destiny of our future generations. Slamming the Congress for launching malicious campaign in the media against the SAD-BJP alliance for gaining political mileage out of the Virasat-e-Khalsa, Chhota Ghallughara, Wadda Ghallughara and Baba Bandha Singh Bahadur War Memorial, Mr. Badal said that Congress should have taken this initiative during its regime instead of now spiting venom out of jealousy. He said: "It is obligatory on the part of any government to preserve the rich legacy and cultural heritage of the state for the future generations and these memorials were nothing but a humble effort towards this direction". He advised the state Congress leadership to abstain from such mudslinging on this noble cause which had already been widely appreciated by one and all not in the state, country but even abroad also. He said that the participation of several spiritual leaders, heads of the various religious sects and organizations in these functions besides the representatives of different social and voluntary organizations was a testimony of their unstinted support to the cause of preservation of our glorious heritage of sacrifices in the annals of the Sikhism and Khalsa Panth for our coming generations.
Taking a dig at the opposition, Mr. Badal further said that he was
deeply pained to note that despite extending personal invitations to all
the Congress MLAs and Members of Parliament they not only deliberately stayed away from these functions but also dissuaded the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh from participating in the historic dedication ceremony of Virasat-e-Khalsa to the humanity. He added that it was his keen desire to get this world class project dedicate to the nation by an eminent Sikh personality of PM’s stature, whom he personally called on him in New Delhi to extend invitation which clearly implied that entire Congress leadership boycotted these functions. He asked them "Had they boycotted my invitation or the martyrs who made supreme sacrifices for the Khalsa Panth". He said that these leaders owe an explanation to the public for this unbecoming behavior. Mr. Badal said that he wanted the participation of the leaders of all political parties in these historic functions cutting across the political affiliations and rising above the narrow vested interests. Striking an emotional cord, Mr. Badal said that the God had bestowed upon countless blessings on him and he would ever remain indebted to the Almighty and prayed to give him further strength to serve the Khalsa Panth, Punjab and its people with utmost zeal and dedication till his last breath to repay back the debt owed by him due to the enormous love and affection showed upon him. In his address the Deputy Chief Minister and SAD President Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal said that these world class memorials were the outcome of the great visionary approach of the Chief Minister who meticulously planned to erect these memorials to perpetuate the rich legacy of the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs and heroes who laid down their lives for the Sikh Panth. He said it was our bounden duty to showcase our glorious cultural heritage for our younger generations and these concerted efforts were a humble step to achieve this goal. He added that the nations who forget their martyrs or heroes were bound to vanish with the passage of time. He said that all these memorials were the dream project of the Chief Minister which has been
accomplished by the grace of God within a record period of time. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said he would ever remain indebted to the great saints, religious and spiritual leaders who had specially come from different parts of the state to participate in today’s historic event. He further said that the Sikh history wasreplete with numerous selfless sacrifices and we have inherited this indomitable spirit from our great Gurus and Martyrs.
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed the educational institutions to conduct regular visits of students at these memorials to keep them abreast of our glorious past abound in self-sacrifices to instill the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst them. He also appealed the youth to take a vow to abstain from the menace of drugs to ensure a harmonious and prosperous Punjab as a befitting tributes to our great freedom fighters and martyrs.
In his address, Member Rajya Sabha and SAD Secretary General Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said that Mr. Badal had proved to be a true follower of great Sikh Ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh who too had also made an humble effort in preserving the glorious and rich legacy of Sikhism and Khalsa Panth through these memorials in the Punjab for the generations to come. He urged Mr. Badal to acquire 3-4 acres of land for the construction of road to provide a direct access to the people from Gurdwara Sri Wadda Ghallughara Sahib to the memorial.
In his address SGPC President Mr. Avtar Singh while appreciating the efforts of the state government said that these memorials were a befitting tribute to the great martyrs who laid down their lives for Panth against the tyrannical forces during the Mughal regime. He described the Wadda Ghallughara as the watershed movement in the history of the Sikhism, in which 35000 Sikhs were brutally martyred.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Chief Buddha Dal Baba Balbir Singh, Gurmat Sidhant Parchar Sabha Head Sant Baba Hari Singh Randhawawale, Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrinwale, Senior Akali Leader and former Union Minister Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Tarlochan Singh, Local Govt. Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra and Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder (Both SAD General Secretaries), Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema and MLA Dhuri Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda. Jathedar Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib Sri Anandpur Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh, Amritsar MP Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tourism Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, PWD (B&R) Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former SGPC Chief Mr. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Chairman PRTC Mr. Ranjit Singh Balina, Mr. Malkiat Singh Keetu, Mr. Gobind Singh Kanjla, Mr. Gobind Singh Longowal (all former MLAs), MLA Badhaur Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, CPS Mr. Sital Singh, former Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Mr. Charnajit Singh Attwal, Ex-MP Mr. Gurbachan Singh Galib besides representatives of the Sant Samaj, several party leaders and workers of SAD-BJP and members of the SGPC also attended the function.
