The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Jathedar Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh Ji , who passed away late last night here at his residence following a massive heart attack. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Badal dashed to Sri Anandpur Sahib and visited Diwan Hall of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib this afternoon where the body of Jathedar Giani Tarlochan singh Ji was kept for the ‘darshan’ of sangat to enable them to pay their last respects to the great religious personality. On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the wreath on the body of Giani Tarlochan Singh Ji as a mark of respect and prayed to Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss in this hour of grief.
Sharing his heartfelt condolences with the family members especially the Giani Ji’s wife Smt. Avtar Kaur and his son Advocate S. Hardev Singh, Mr. Badal recalled the supreme services rendered by Giani Tarlochan Singh ji for the ‘Chardhi Kala’ (well-being) of the Sikh Panth. The Chief Minister described Giani Tarlochan Singh Ji as a great sikh scholar who propagated the tenets of Sikhism in every nook and corner of the world through his religious discourses, adding Mr. Badal said the void caused due to the death of Giani Tarlochan Singh Ji in the arena of Sikh religious affairs was difficult to be filled. Mr. Badal said, “Giani Ji’s death is a personal loss to him as he often consulted him on several religious matters he was well read and had vast knowledge of Sikh religion and history”.
Meanwhile, General Secretary SGPC S. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur announced that the cremation of Giani Tarlochan Singh Ji would be held tomorrow at Sri Anandpur Sahib at 10 am and Bhog and Antim Ardas would be held at Diwan Hall of Takht Sri Keshgarh sahib on August 10 , 2013(Saturday) from 12 noon to 2 pm.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema. Prominent amongst other who were present included Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, General Secretary SGPC S. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, MLA Ropar Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Manager Gurdwara Quila Anangarh Sahib besides S. Amarjit Singh Chawla, Principal Surinder Singh, Paramjit Singh Lakhowal, Daljit Singh Bhindar (all members of SGPC). Deputy Commissioner Ropar Mr. Pardeep Kumar Agarwal and SSP Indermohan Singh were also present on the occasion.