Ambala: The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has changed the venue of its August 25 Panthic gathering from the Grain Market in Pipli to Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib in Ambala.The gathering has been called in protest against the developments arising from the case involving anti-Khalistan front chief Gursimran Singh Mand, including the arrests of two Sikh youths, subsequent protests by the Sikh community, the use of force and the registration of cases against several Sikh leaders following the August 13 agitation in Ambala over the alleged highway blockade, attacks on police and damage to public property.HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda announced the venue change on Saturday, while sticking to August 25 as the date of the gathering.A meeting was held at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib on Sunday. Jhinda, along with HSGMC members and representatives of various religious, social, and farmers’ organisations, participated in the meeting. Shiromani Akali Dal Haryana president Harkesh Singh Mohri was also present.The participants discussed the August 13 agitation, the Mand case and subsequent govt action, and finalised a strategy for the August 25 gathering.A 21-member committee, comprising HSGMC members and representatives of farmers’ organisations, was constituted to oversee arrangements and assign responsibilities for the programme. The leaders appealed to the Sikh sangat and the general public to participate in large numbers.Jhinda said the venue was shifted to Ambala because the entire episode had unfolded there. “The decision has been taken as per the sentiments of the Sikh sangat and HSGMC members of Ambala. Since the entire episode took place in Ambala, the gathering should be held here,” he said.He appealed to Sikh organisations and religious and political leaders to attend the gathering in large numbers. Jhinda also urged the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to extend support to the call. He said the gathering would decide the future course of action on the issue.Addressing Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat regarding the registration of cases against Sikh leaders, including himself, Jhinda said he was ready to appear before the police for his arrest.“The day Ambala police want to arrest me, they need not send any force. They can simply ask the investigating officer to call me, and I will come to be arrested. There is no need to create any drama that the HSGMC chief is evading arrest,” he said.Jhinda also rejected allegations that Sikh protesters had launched the first attack on the police. “If it is so, we are ready to apologise. But if the police attacked us first, the police also need to apologise. We are a peaceful community and are not in favour of disturbing peace,” he added.He urged the Ambala SP to take action against people making provocative statements against the Sikh community, warning that failure to act could make it difficult to restrain the youth.Jhinda alleged that negligence by the Ambala district police and failure to take timely action on Mand as per the Sikh community’s demands had aggravated the situation.“It is due to the negligence of Ambala police…In their attempt to save one person, govt is being defamed. I give a clean chit to the Sikh youth and the Sikh sangat, but accuse the Ambala police of negligence,” he said.
