Golden Temple to use phone jammers

bscheema · #1 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 11:56 AM

copied from(TOI)

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sikhs' highest religious body, is preparing to install jammers inside the Golden Temple complex to stop the "menace of ringing mobile phones".

The Sikhs' holiest of holy shrine receives over 1 lakh people everyday and the entire complex literally remains abuzz with the sound of thousands of ringing cell phones.

Hundreds of devotees have complained to the SGPC and requested it to ensure that some kind of ban is imposed on the usage of cell phones within the temple premises.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar told TOI on Wednesday, "We have been getting complaints from devotees about the maddening tunes and beeps of mobile phones, which disturb them and create obstruction in worship."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/38806-golden-temple-to-use-phone-jammers.html

The SGPC has set up a panel to recommend suggestions for keeping the phones out of the temple complex. "We are planning to install jammers as banning phones would not be an easy task." According to SGPC officials, it would be very difficult to take care of over a lakh phones everyday.

"Depositing and returning of mobile phones is a gigantic task as more than a lakh devotees pay obeisance at the Golden Temple everyday. The better option appears to be the installation of jammers," said Makkar.

The SGPC has already installed phone jammers near the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.

"Being without a mobile phone in today's life is something unimaginable but it is a good idea to jam the mobile phone signals in holy places," said Ravinder Singh, a businessman from Ambala who was at the Golden Temple to pay respects along with his family members.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...w/15036721.cms

Ishna · #2 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 13:31 PM

Good idea! Can I get one for my Gurdwara please? It doesn't matter how many times the sevadars ask people to turn off their phones or put them on silent, someone always manages to get a call! The worst is when they answer it during Ardaas and leave Darbar Sahib whilst whispering 'hang on, hang on'...

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #3 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 14:26 PM

Havent you guys heard about the GRANTHI at a TAKHAT (no less) having his phone RING (LOUD ENOUGH to be carried over the mike) DURING ARDASS he was performing at the MIKE !! and the ring tone was a porno lyric...and in his hurry he couldnt locate the handphone fast enough...the lyric was heard over the pa system as the ARDASS stopped !! mid way...thats a GOOD ONE...

harry haller · #4 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 15:03 PM

SaintSoldier1699 · #5 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 16:22 PM

Also, you'd think it was an urgent phone call, instead its the Mrs calling to say buy some milk on the way home because we've ran out!

itsmaneet · #6 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 17:50 PM

Once you enter such a holy place, its important to be there mentally as well which I think never happens & cell phones contribute to this disturbance the most.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38806

So, in my views its a good initiative but again it should just not remain an initiative but implemented as well.

harry haller · #7 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 17:53 PM

do you think they are only doing it to save the Granthi's looking bad? what with the one that got caught looking at porn, there seem to be quite a few that are this way inclined.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #8 (**permalink**) 20-Jul-2012, 21:43 PM

And Mobile Phones are used to get "hot news" out QUICKLY..like the recent FIGHT between the Head Granthi of Harmandar sahib and the Parkarma Jathedar..The Parkarma jathedar was stopping and searching passers by for stolen goods/cash etc..and the Head Granthi refused to be searched..and the jathedar mentioned loudly that a "big FISH has escaped the net "..and the granthi took this remark a s meant for him...!!!!!!!!!!! so there wa s a big fight right there outside the Harmandar...and it was sent out via mobile phone cameras..bad publicity as even makkar was informed later than the world wide NET !!

Kanwaljit Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 21-Jul-2012, 01:32 AM

Instead of Sangat taking the initiative of minding their cell phones and ringtones, the Gurudwara committee has to act like an authoritarian and jam everyone's mobile phones. Now no one will put up the 'Silent your mobile' sign, it is not needed at all. Why give changi matt to someone when you can use technology!