‘Saroop’ row: DSGMC, Lalpura allege ‘maryada’ violation throughout Ajnala protest
GS PAUL
Amritsar, February 24
The silence of the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on questions being raised over carrying of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroop’ on the Ajnala website the place a protest led by radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh turned violent, has invited ire from a number of quarters.
Matter of concern
Although, the topic of ‘maryada’ comes beneath the jurisdiction of the Akal Takht and the SGPC, but I imagine that no matter occurred at Ajnala is disappointing and a matter of concern. Making Sri Guru Granth Sahib part of any protest or agitation can’t be justified. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairperson, Nationwide Fee for Minorities
Sarcastically, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, on his social media web page, has made a obscure assertion whereas not clearly mentioning if any violation of the Sikh ‘rehat maryada’ was noticed on the protesting website, which witnessed fierce scuffle between the police and trespassers within the presence of the ‘saroop’ on the Ajnala police station yesterday.
SGPC member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur has requested the jathedar to be clear and particular in his response. Criticising the thought of carrying the ‘saroop’ on the protesting website, she advocated that it was the duty of the Akal Takht and the SGPC to take cognisance of the incident or no less than counsel the misguided Sikh youth.
“The protesters had been making an excuse whereas giving examples of carrying of the ‘saroop’ by Sikh troopers or ‘morcha’ organisers. The very fact is that throughout the conflict instances, troopers by no means carry the ‘saroop’ within the battle zone as a ‘protect’ to withstand an enemy assault, however enshrine it solely within the peace zone. Equally, throughout any morcha, the ‘parkash’ of ‘saroop’ is initiated on the website the place there may very well be ‘Guru’s jaap’ with assurance of no violent exercise. If the Ajnala incident is taken as an act of ignorance, then jathedar ought to have intervened and counselled the youth to desist from any such transfer,” she stated.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Administration Committee (DSGMC) president, Harmeet Singh Kalka, criticised the entire episode in sturdy phrases and sought the Akal Takht’s intervention to keep away from any such incident in future.
“Taking a lesson from the Ajnala episode, the Akal Takht jathedar ought to have come out clear. He ought to educate what ‘maryada’ needs to be noticed,” he stated.
The Nationwide Fee for Minorities chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura stated, “Although, the topic of ‘maryada’ comes beneath the jurisdiction of the Akal Takht and the SGPC, but as a religious Sikh, I imagine that no matter occurred at Ajnala is disappointing and a matter of concern. Sri Guru Granth Sahib leads the worldwide Sikh group and represents the Sikh philosophy. Making it part of any protest or agitation can’t be justified. The Akal Takht and the SGPC ought to make clear what ‘maryada’ needs to be adopted on this course.”
Former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh additionally questioned the motive behind carrying the holy Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroop’ to the protest website, which, he stated, was unacceptable.
The BJP chief, Prof Sarchand Singh Khiala stated, “The Sikh panth has held tons of of marches and organised morchas. That is the primary and the one occasion wherein the holy ‘saroop’ has been misused as a guard in a private tussle with the system. The Akal Takht ought to have taken a severe discover of the incident. I’ve written to the jathedar and requested him if this incident will be termed as a blasphemous act?”