Chandigarh: Elections of Municipal corporations and councils are slated to be held in December. Though notification for the elections is out, government is yet to announce the dates of elections. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal has appealed to the Punjab government and the State Election Commission to avoid holding local government elections during the martyrdom fortnight of the 4 Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri ji. This martyrdom fortnight is observed from 15 to 31 December. The period holds great importance for Sikh community as people remember the sacrifice made by four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his mother Mata Gujri Ji.
Senior Akali Dal leader and former Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that during this fortnight, lakhs of people pay obeisance at Gurdwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib and related places. He added that people offer flowers of reverence to this incredible martyrdom of history. He justified that holding any election during this period would spoil the peaceful and sacred atmosphere and hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
Cheema said, “We believe elections are very important for local government institutions. But while holding elections, days of historical importance should be kept in mind. Shiromani Akali Dal hopes that the government and the State Election Commission will keep in mind the sentiments of the people while fixing the dates of elections. The Election Commission and the Punjab government should take any decision keeping these aspects in mind.”
He further added that the sentiments of the people of the state are attached to this issue.