Election fever turns religious stage into political platform

Organizers pamper leaders on Gurupurab, devotees irked

P S Bali

Jammu, Nov 6: With the election fever running high, the religious stage on Gurupurab was turned into a political platform as several political leaders appeared on the occasion to woo voters.

Many senior leaders from different political parties shared the stage at the main congregation held here today that was meant for the devotees. The organizers welcomed the politicians on the stage and introduced them to devotees.

First to appear on the stage was MP, Jugal Kishore, followed by BJP candidate Rajesh Gupta, Manmohan Choudhary and PDP candidate Amreek Singh Reen, besides dozens other leaders and workers.

Although leaders did not say anything on the occasion, but organizers, took much pain to introduce the politicians to the devotees by showering much praise.

However, cosset treatment given to these political leaders on religious occasion irked devotees, who expressed dismay over the ‘misuse’ of religious stage for projecting political messages.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Jagjeet Singh, president Dashmesh Youth Organization said that this tradition of appeasing politicians has been followed for past several years, where political leaders are given space higher than that of Sangat (devotees).

He said, “Today’s Gurupurab was more like a political campaign, wherein leaders from BJP and PDP occupied most of the stages. It looked as if BJP-PDP coalition was celebrating its victory”. He added that some programme organizers under political influence forget the sanctity of the day and instead of focusing on its importance, they went appeasing political leaders for vested interests.

Chairman, United Sikh Council, Kuldeep Singh said that such functions are politically motivated and are organized with prior planning to introduce politicians with the people.

He shared that to make certain political leaders familiar with the public, organizers kept on felicitating them throughout function, which shifts focus from the actual significance of the day.

 “Using religious stage for felicitating unknown politicians is demeaning the sanctity of Gurudwara and hurting the religious sentiments of the devotees,” he added.

He said that in the absence of Prabandak Committee, the responsibility of religious occasions lies with Divisional Commissioner, who was also present on the stage and was felicitated by the Gurudwara committee.

Meanwhile, Secretary organizing Committee, Manjeet Singh admitted that politicians were given space on the stage ‘for the betterment of the community’.

 “We did not ask them to come on stage, as this is Gurudwara and everybody is free to sit anywhere. They come by themselves,” said Manjeet Singh.