Amritsar, July 29
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken exception to the Central Government’s initiative of conserving water in rural areas across the country by naming ponds as ‘Amrit Sarovar’.
The Centre is developing ponds for water conservation across the country under mission ‘Amrit Sarovar’, which corresponds to traditions of Sikh history.
The SGPC has written to Union Minister of Rural Development Giriraj Singh, asking him to change the name of the scheme immediately.
Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC president, said although the government’s initiative to conserve water was good, its name hurts Sikh sentiments.
He said due to reverence and importance of ‘Amrit Sarovar’, ponds being developed by the government with the name ‘Amrit Sarovar’ in villages was disrespect to Sikh history and traditions.
“Amrit Sarovar, as the name given to ponds being developed in villages to conserve water, cannot be accepted. As per the history, Sikh Gurus developed five sarovars (holy tanks) at the city of Amritsar, of which, Amritsar (meaning Amrit Sarovar) is one. Every day, lakhs of pilgrims express their devotion by taking a holy dip in the sarovar at the Golden Temple,” he said.
SGPC takes exception to naming ponds as 'Amrit Sarovar'
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