March 06, 2024
Singh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh Ji
Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Teja Singh Samundri Hall
Sri Harmandir Sahib Complex
Amritsar, Punjab
Fax: 0183-2553919
Email:
[email protected];
[email protected];
Re: Declare Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke As Qaumi Shaheed
Sub: Lead The Ardas On March 31st in California State Capitol To Honor Shaheed Jathedar Kaunke
Jathedar Sahib Ji:
My name is
. We are writing to ask that following the tradition of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, you declare Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke (1949-1993) as Qaumi Shaheed (Martyr of Sikh Nation) who was tortured to death by the Indian Police due to his active participation in the movement for Sikhs right to self-determination – Khalistan.
In the memory and honor of the ultimate sacrifice by Jathedar Bhai Kaunke, “Sikhs For Justice” (SFJ) has organized an Akhand Path Sahib on March 31, 2024 at California State Capitol, Sacramento to perform Ardas and to declare Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke as Qaumi Shaheed.
Shaheed Gurdev Singh Kaunke was ordained as Jathedar on January 26, 1986 following the Sarbat Khalsa (General Assembly of the Sikh Panth) and served as the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib till Indian police tortured and killed him in fake encounter on January 01, 1993.
During his tenure as Jathedar of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhism, Shaheed Kaunke diligently performed his duties by guiding the Sikh Panth in the movement for the protection of the religious identity of Sikhs which has been constantly under attack by the successive Indian Governments since 1947 and for leading the liberation of Punjab from the Indian occupation.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib was built by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji as the highest temporal seat from where Sikhs seek justice, guidance and inspiration on temporal religious and political issues.
Jathedar Sahib, we ask that you personally participate and lead the March 31, 2024 Ardas in California State Capitol Sacramento to declare Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke as Qaumi Shaheed for laying his life for the Sikh people’s movement for right to self-determination and preservation of Sikh religious identity from the successive Indian Government’s onslaught.
Sincerely yours,
