Guru-ta-Gaddi Diwas be declared global secularism day : Badal

Chandigarh, June 23 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to get Guru-ta-Gaddi Diwas declared as 'International Day of Commitment to Secularism'.

He also asked the Prime Minister to take up the issue with the appropriate forum in the United Nations, an official release said here.

The commemoration day of installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the ultimate Guru in September-October 2008 would be observed as an event of significance on national as well as international calendar as a part of a global human awareness campaign, he said.

He said the relevance of the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib needed to be emphasised as part of a national movement on secular, egalitarian, patriotic and cross-cultural ideals.

Mr Badal asked the Union government to effectively use the occasion as a befitting tool to emphasise the relevance of India's cosmopolitan approach to the solution of global issues.

Earlier, in the first meeting of National Committee for Commemoration of tercentenary celebrations of Guru-Ta-Gaddi Diwas, held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, at New Delhi, the Chief Minister made a strong case for integrated development of Talwandi Sabo by the Union government. He stressed it was at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, situated at Talwandi Sabo, that Tenth Guru Gobind Singh gave a final shape to Guru Granth Sahib. Therefore, it was imperative that besides, integrated development of Sri Nanded Sahib, where the Guru told his followers that there would be no living Guru and holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib would be the spiritual guide to the whole world, the Union government should also undertake the integrated development of Talwandi Sabo.

Mr Badal also demanded that a special session of parliament should be convened to salute the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The route of the last journey undertaken by Guru Gobind Singh from Talwandi Sabo to Nanded Sahib passing through various states should be named as Sri Guru Gobind Singh Marg.

Besides, this road should have milestones carved in the traditional style of Sikh architecture with inscriptions from the holy Gurbani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Badal added.

He also asked the government to run a train connecting five Takhts at Patna, Nanded, Talwandi Sabo, Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar.

The Chief Minister suggested that the proposed National Defence University in the State be named as Sri Guru Gobind Singh University.

Suggesting a comprehensive programme in the celebration of this event.

Mr Badal said an all-religion function should be organised at Sri Damdama Sahib. Honorable President and Prime Minister, leaders and religious heads from every religion across the world should take part in this function, he added.

The Chief Minister said a march should be taken out from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Nanded Sahib where the Guru announced the decision to bestow Guru-ta (Guru-hood) on Sri Granth Sahib.

A commemorative postal stamp and a coin be also released to mark the historic moment and both the Centre and state governments should make arrangement to celebrate this important day, Mr Badal said.

UNI