Srinagar, June 10 :
In a heartfelt appeal, Surinder Singh Channi, Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, has urged the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to declare a gazetted holiday on June 12, 2025, in observance of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru of Sikhism.
Channi emphasized that the day holds immense spiritual, cultural, and historical significance for the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Srinagar, has already submitted a formal request to the administration in this regard.
“Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji is not only remembered as a spiritual luminary but also as a beacon of courage, justice, and righteousness. His life and teachings continue to inspire generations, especially the Sikh minority in the region,” Channi stated.
He highlighted that declaring a public holiday on this auspicious day would allow the Sikh community to observe it with devotion, unity, and dignity—enabling attendance at Gurdwaras for prayers and community service without the constraints of professional or academic obligations.
Surinder Singh Channi appealed to the administration to consider this gesture as a mark of inclusivity, mutual respect, and recognition for the contributions and sentiments of the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We sincerely hope the government will respond positively and fulfill the longstanding demand of the community,” he added.(CNS)