Parties to shun political conferences at Jor Mela

Chandigarh : The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today announced not to hold political conferences during Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib. The mela, held every year in December-end, commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger Sahibzade.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had yesterday decided not to organise its conference on the religious occasion. Earlier today, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh issued directions to all political parties to desist from holding political functions that undermined the Jor Mela’s sanctity. SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal appealed to various parties to abide by the Jathedar’s directions.
The parties’ decision followed a sustained campaign from a section of the Sikh community on social media, where the former were accused of belittling the occasion. Activists of the Guru Satkar Committee also sat on a relay fast in front of a conference venue.
Leading a delegation, former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh had yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner, demanding that no permission be granted for such conferences.
In a press release, the Congress said today: “Respecting the sentiments of the people and keeping in view the sanctity of the occasion, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has decided against holding any political conference during the Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib.”