Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to all political parties not to hold any political conference during the Maghi at Sri Muktsar Sahib, in view of the sanctity of the occasion.He announced that neither the Congress party nor the State Government would organise any public function during the sacred event.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said Captain Amarinder Singh felt the occasion should not be marred by any political overtones but should be observed with utmost reverence.The solemn occasion observed every year in memory of the 40 Muktas (liberated ones) who laid down their lives in the battle of Khidrana, now known as Sri Muktsar Sahib, should never be exploited for pursuing narrow, vested and political interests, said the Chief Minister.The auspicious occasion of Maghi in Sri Muktsar Sahib was being held since time immemorial as a mark of respect to eulogize the supreme sacrifice of 40 Muktas, who valiantly fought against the Mughals. However, the people of Punjab felt that over the past few years such pious occasions were being circumvented by the political parties to pursue their agenda and score brownie points, said the Chief Minister.
Captain Amarinder Singh also appealed to the people, especially the political leaders, to offer their tributes to these brave Sikhs as humble devotees and pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara ‘Sri Tuti-Gandi Sahib’ at Sri Muktsar Sahib instead of holding political conferences/rallies.
Notably, the Punjab Government led by Captain Amarinder Singh did not hold any state level function at Maghi last year also, in line with its conscientious decision in this regard. Likewise, the State Government and Congress Party did not organize any state level function/conference on the martyrdom day of younger Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji and mother Mata Gujri Ji of Tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Fatehgarh Sahib during Shaheedi Jor-Mel this year too.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has directed the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Sri Muktsar Sahib to take all necessary steps to ensure that law and order is maintained during Maghi to be observed on 14th January 2019 to enable the millions of devotees, who are expected to converge here not only from the country but from across the globe, to offer their prayers in a hassle-free manner.