*Opposition Members to Be Included in Committee Constituted for Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan- CM*

*CM Expresses Regret over Opposition’s Non-Participation in Programmes Commemorating Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji*

*Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan Should Be Taken Forward by Rising Above Politics- CM*

Chandigarh, September 1-  Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said that saints belong to everyone and we all belong to the saints. Their teachings and messages are not confined to any particular section of society, but serve as a source of inspiration for the entire society and humanity. In keeping with this spirit, members of the Opposition will also be included in the committee constituted for the ‘Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’.

The Chief Minister was speaking in the Vidhan Sabha during the discussion on the government’s resolution on the ‘Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’. He was responding to the issue raised by MLA Sh. B.B. Batra regarding representation of the Opposition in the committee.

Referring to the programmes organised to commemorate the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a resolution had earlier been brought before the august House and committees had also been constituted to organise programmes marking the occasion. Members of the Opposition were also included in these committees.

The Chief Minister said that the concerned Deputy Commissioners had invited Opposition MLAs to the programmes organised across the state, but Opposition members were not seen participating in them.

Expressing regret over their non-participation, the Chief Minister said that he was placing the matter before the House with a heavy heart. Despite committees being constituted for programmes commemorating an important occasion such as the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and invitations being extended to all concerned, participation from the Opposition was not seen, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini recalled the words of former Prime Minister late Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee that governments would come and go, but the nation must endure. He said that the Gurus had also given society the message of rising above narrow considerations and working for the larger good. It is our collective responsibility to carry this message forward to future generations, he added.

The Chief Minister said that future generations must be made aware of the hardships endured by our saints and Gurus for society and humanity, as well as their sacrifices and lifelong commitment to the welfare of mankind.

He said that the sacred soil of the holy land associated with Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj should reach every household. The ‘Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’ should, therefore, be taken forward by rising above politics. Whenever the birth anniversaries or commemorative occasions of such great saints and personalities are observed, everyone should come together and contribute collectively, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the government resolution brought before the House is dedicated to the 650th Prakash Parv of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the government is committed to honouring saints and great personalities and taking their teachings and messages to every section of society.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the teachings of the Gurus convey the message that no person is high or low by birth; rather, it is one’s deeds that determine one’s stature.

The Chief Minister appealed to all members to rise above other considerations, work collectively to take the resolution forward and ensure that the teachings and messages of saints and great personalities reach every section of society.

He also appealed to the people of Haryana, particularly saints, mahants, religious preachers, dera heads, temple committees and social and cultural organisations, to participate enthusiastically in the programmes being organised under the ‘Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’.