FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdawara Parbhandak Committee(SGPC) has taken up with Prime Minister Manmihan Singh, the case of Afghan Sikhs who are facing problems in war torn Afghanisatan.

The plight of Afghan Sikhs was highlighted recently when they were prevented from cremating a dead person as per Sikh rituals. The Sikh commuity had cremated the dead following intervention by local office of United Natuions and Afghan police.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said on Friday that the he  has taken up matter with the Prime Minister seeking his personal itnervention in providing security to Afghan Sikhs. He said that Sikhs were living in Afghanistan since centuries and are part of Afghan culture. He said that Sikh commuity in Afghanstan was very peaceful and helping in nation's development. He said that Sikhs in Afghanistan had hisorical linkage with Sikh religion for having blessed by Sikh gurus.

He said that the SGPC will  remove " distortion of facts" from the Sikh history . He said that  a board
of scholars had been set up to rewrite the Sikh history by removing distortions. He said resource material available with Sikh institutions would be made the basis of history to be re-written.

Dr Kharak Singh had been made head of the board. Its other members were Dr Kirpal Singh, an eminent historian, Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon, Dr Jasbir Singh Sambar and Dr Balwinder Singh Jaura.  He said from now on the SGPC would examine  the books regarding Sikh history and gurmat.  He said that no  one would be allowed to distort the Sikh history and Sikhism.

He said an inquiry had been ordered with regard to a controversial book.   Talking about the publication of Guru Granth Sahib, he said the Punjab Government had been urged to pass a law to make the permission from the SGPC mandatory for publishing Guru Granth Sahib. He said that the sale of Guru Granth Sahib  will not be allowed at the commercial level .