AICC general secretary Harish Rawat on Wednesday apologised for referring to the party’s Punjab leadership as ‘Panj Pyare’ and will atone for his remark by sweeping the floor at a gurdwara.
In Sikh tradition, ‘Panj Pyare’ is the term used for five beloved of the Guru. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the ten Gurus, initiated five men into the order of ‘Khalsa’ (pure).
‘Panj Pyare’ is the name given to five baptised Sikhs who perform a baptism ceremony to initiate Sikhs into the order of the ‘Khalsa’.
“Sometimes by expressing respect, you use such words which are objectionable. I too have made a mistake of using the word ‘Panj Pyare’ for my honourable president and four working presidents,” wrote Rawat.
He said he was a student of the country’s history and the leading position of ‘Panj Pyare’ could not be compared with any other.
“I have committed a mistake. I apologise for hurting the sentiments of people,” he said.
Rawat, who is party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, said he will clean a gurdwara in his state with a broom as atonement.
He said that he always had a sense of dedication and respect to Sikh religion and its great traditions.
The Shiromani Akali Dal had taken exception to Rawat’s remarks and had sought an apology for the same.
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema had slammed Rawat for his remark and had demanded that the state government should book him for hurting sentiments. (Press Trust of India Chandigarh)
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Leaders should think before speaking.There are hundreds of people who go and clean floors of the Gurudwaras. It is not panishment but to keep the place neat and clean and is called”Saiwa” He should go to the Gurudwara and ask what punishment he should have and then act on it .
Politicians when making any remark should be careful to use words which are synonymous with major religions and to use in a derogatory way will invite trouble