CGPC urges DC to declare holiday in Jamshedpur Schools on Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh on Jan 6 

Jamshedpur: A delegation from the Central Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (CGPC), the apex Sikh religious organization in Kolhan, met Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal to request a public holiday in schools on January 6 to mark the Prakash Divas of the tenth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Led by CGPC President Sardar Bhagwan Singh, the delegation, including Sardar Shailendra Singh, Sukhdev Singh Bittu, Sukhwinder Singh Raju, and Jaspal Singh, submitted a formal memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. The group also extended an invitation for the Deputy Commissioner to join the Nagar Kirtan processions and Central Diwan celebrations. While Ananya Mittal expressed regret for being unavailable on the day of Guruparv, she assured her participation in the Central Diwan at a later date.

Earlier, CGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Billa, along with other members, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner’s office emphasizing the cultural and religious significance of the Prakash Parv for the Sikh community.

CGPC President Sardar Bhagwan Singh highlighted the deep connection of the Sikh community with the Prakash Parv, which is marked by large-scale participation in religious events, including the Nagar Kirtan. “It is unfair to deprive Sikh children of the opportunity to partake in these events due to the lack of a public holiday,” he said, noting the growing resentment within the community over this issue.

General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Billa further criticized the need to petition annually for a holiday, stating, “The district administration and state government should automatically declare a public holiday every year for this occasion, recognizing its significance.”

The Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, revered as “Sarbans Daani” for his unparalleled sacrifices against oppression, is celebrated with great fervor. The Sikh Sangat gathers to pay homage to the Guru Granth Sahib during the Nagar Kirtan, with devotees from across the state participating.

Without an official holiday, however, many Sikh children are unable to join these celebrations, a concern echoed by the CGPC. “Declaring January 6 as a public holiday for schools would allow students to actively participate in this culturally enriching occasion,” added Sardar Bhagwan Singh.