Amritsar: On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday on Thursday, members of the Sant Samaj released a book documenting what its authors describe as the Modi govt’s engagement with the Sikh community and its initiatives concerning Sikh heritage and history.Titled ‘Heart-to-Heart: A Saga of Reverence’, the book was released at Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi during a prayer gathering organised as part of the BJP’s month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’. The programme was led by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu.The gathering also comes against the backdrop of warming ties between the Sant Samaj and the BJP, with Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma increasingly seen engaging with the party in recent years. Dhumma has maintained that such political engagement is issue-based and aimed at advancing Sikh interests.A section of the Sikh community, including members of the Sant Samaj, Nihang groups and other Sikh organisations, also offered ardas for Modi’s well-being and the country’s peace and prosperity.Sandhu and the delegation later paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and participated in langar sewa and voluntary service at the Joda Ghar. Paath and kirtan were also held during the gathering.Those present included Giani Sukhdev Singh, head granthi of Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala; former SGPC secretary Gurdarshan Singh; former SGPC members Jathedar Harbans Singh Manjhpur and Karm Singh; Baba Major Singh of Dera Shaheed Tara Singh; Sant Baba Hardeepak Singh Tibbe Wale; SGPC member Charanjit Singh; and World Sikh Chamber president Harjinder Singh.Speaking at the event, Sandhu highlighted the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, global commemorations of Sikh Gurus’ anniversaries, Veer Bal Diwas, langar-related GST exemption and improved connectivity to Sikh shrines as initiatives credited by the organisers to the Modi govt.Sant Samaj leaders also cited the return of Guru Granth Sahib saroops from Afghanistan and provisions concerning persecuted minorities under the Citizenship Amendment Act among measures they said had addressed long-standing Sikh concerns. The ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, launched on Sept 17 to mark Modi’s birthday and 25 years in public service, will continue till Oct 17.
