The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has given approval for constructing a memorial for human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra at Harike Pattan.The decision was taken at a meeting of the SGPC’s executive committee chaired by president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.Dhami said the decision to construct his memorial at Harike Pattan had been taken in accordance with directions issued by the Akal Takht Jathedar during a recent event held there. He said a suitable site would be identified and work would be initiated soon.The committee also approved plans to construct memorial sites for Bhai Gurdas and Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh in the Golden Temple complex and decided to hold collective prayers across gurdwaras for the welfare and release of Sikh prisoners.Dhami said the memorials for Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Mani Singh would be constructed on either side of Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbakhsh Singh in the Golden Temple complex. He said both personalities had played an important role in Sikh history and had rendered significant services at the Darbar Sahib.The executive committee also condemned Congress leaders for praising former party leader Sajjan Kumar following his death. Dhami said those accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh violence should have been given stringent punishment and criticised the Congress for allegedly honouring such leaders with political positions.The committee decided that Akhand Path Sahib would be commenced at all gurdwaras bhog would be held on August 29, followed by a collective ardas for the welfare and release of Sikh prisoners. Similar prayers would also be held at SGPC-run educational institutions and trusts on August 29.The SGPC also demanded immediate parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara to enable him to meet his seriously ill elderly mother. Dhami criticised the government’s response to the parole request and said the issue of Sikh prisoners continued to face injustice from successive governments.He also raised the issue of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s pending mercy petition and commutation of sentence, saying the government had failed to take the matter forward.The committee condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, saying violence against devotees at a gurdwara was against the sanctity and maryada of the shrine.It also condemned an incident at Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib in Edmonton, Canada, where a man allegedly attacked and injured sewadars. Dhami urged the authorities to take strict action against those responsible.The committee further approved financial assistance of Rs 2.5 crore for Meeri Piri Medical College, Shahabad Markanda. Various proposals concerning gurdwaras, trusts, educational institutions and SGPC offices were also approved.