Harvinder Singh Dham while addressing media persons at the Gurudwara in Betim.
Photo Credits: Anil Shankhwalker
Harvinder Singh Dham, President of Gurudwara at Betim, has clarified that their Gurudwara had not served any Langar during the Feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa.
“Three or four youth under the banner of ‘Goa Sikh Youth’ had served the Langar without permission from the Gurudwara. Besides, Church authorities had not given them permission to serve the Langar near the Church area,” said Harvinder Singh Dham, while addressing a news conference on Tuesday.
“The youths have tarnished the image of Sikhs by their act of serving Langar. The Christian community is rich and did not need the Langar from Gurudwara. Langar is served only to poor and needy people. The Gurudwara at Betim serves Langar to 300-400 people daily on weekdays and to about 1,000 people on Sunday. These meals are served to the poor and needy people free of cost,” he said.
Harvinder Singh stated that they have now adopted a resolution to amend their bye-laws and henceforth, nobody will be allowed to serve Langar without permission from the Gurudwara.
“We will also approach government authorities and convey our decisions about the Langar. We have formed a five-member committee who will call those people who were involved in serving Langar near the Old Goa Church under the identity of ‘Goa Sikh Youth’ and take appropriate action against them for spoiling the name of the Sikh fraternity.”
“During the Covid pandemic, the Gurudwara had served Langar to thousands of people without any publicity. Langar cannot by served on the road. It has to be prepared and served properly,” he added.
