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Singh Sabha demands ‘last rites’ of Maharaja Duleep Singh in Punjab as per Sikh traditions

“We want ashes of the maharaja to be brought here in Punjab to perform his last rites as per the Sikh tradition, the faith he belonged to,” said a statement issued by the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha after a meeting here on Wednesday.

Updated on: Jul 26, 2017, 22:40:31 IST
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | By , CHANDIGARH
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Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha on Wednesday demanded that the “last rites” of Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was “swindled out of the Sikh empire and duped into Christianity” by the British, be performed in Punjab.

A cropped version of the portrait of Duleep Singh (1838–1893) in 1854. (Franz Xaver Winterhalter/Wikipedia)
A cropped version of the portrait of Duleep Singh (1838–1893) in 1854. (Franz Xaver Winterhalter/Wikipedia)

Maharaja Duleep died 120 years ago and his remains lie buried in Elveden in England.

“We want ashes of the maharaja to be brought here in Punjab to perform his last rites as per the Sikh tradition, the faith he belonged to,” said a statement issued by the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha after a meeting here on Wednesday.

It said both as a Sikh and the last sovereign ruler of the united Punjab, Duleep’s rightful resting place is among his people.

The meeting also decided to mobilise resources for constructing a “befitting memorial” to the Maharaja in Punjab.

Former director general of police (DGP) GS Aujla, former IAS officer Gurtej Singh, and Gurpreet Singh of Maharaja Duleep Singh Trust, UK, were among those present in the meeting.