Akal Takhat Says No To Kirtan Sewa By Women At Darbar Sahib

dalbirk · #1 (**permalink**) 13-Oct-2008, 17:49 PM

The demand to allow baptized Sikh women to perform kirtan and seva inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple raised a controversy again at a seminar organized by the Global United Sikh Women Organization here today. When Dr Mohinder Kaur Gill, a Sikh scholar, wanted the inclusion of baptised women among Panj Piyare ( Five Beloved Ones), Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh chided her for raising such sensitive issues publicly. He, however, said such matters should have been taken up by the sub-committee of SGPC representatives, Akal Takht, Sikh intellectuals and baptised women.

Rajinder Singh Mehta, member, executive committee, SGPC, at the function said women could not be allowed to participate in Panj Piyare or perform kirtan/seva due to a variety of reasons. He said the Almighty had differentiated man from woman at the time of birth, hence nobody should raise such a demand.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-talk/23266-akal-takhat-says-no-kirtan-sewa.html

Dr Mohinder Kaur, contradicting her own point, said the SGPC had given certain administrative reasons for disallowing women to clean the sanctum sanctorum or carry Guru Granth Sahib in a palanquin, but there was no valid reason to deny them a chance to perform kirtan.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, after taking over as SGPC chief in 1999, had announced to treat baptised women on a par with men for discharging religious duties in the Golden Temple. Earlier, then acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh had taken a jatha of baptised women to perform seva in the sanctum sanctorum, along with wife of Harbhajan Singh Yogi. Later, notwithstanding her announcement on February 3, 2003, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, a former general secretary, SGPC, could not arrange kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum.
Gender discrimination in the Golden Temple was highlighted at the international level on February 15, 2003, when two England-based Sikh women were allegedly assaulted by SGPC sevadars during ‘sukhasan’ (carrying Guru Granth Sahib in palanquin) in the Golden Temple .
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23266
Earlier, at the seminar Dr Upinderjit Kaur, education minister, said to preserve moral and ethical values in society, women should have to do introspection to awaken society ethically, morally and artistically by eradicating social evils. Women and organisations, including GND University, Punjabi University, SGPC, Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chandigarh, and Naad Pargaas Sri Amritsar participated in the seminar. The minister congratulated Dr Jasbir Kaur, president, and said such seminars would help form an ideal society.

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Randip Singh · #2 (**permalink**) 13-Oct-2008, 19:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalbirk

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab

Takht chief frowns on sewa by women
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 11
The demand to allow baptised Sikh women to perform kirtan and seva inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple raised a controversy again at a seminar organised by the Global United Sikh Women Organisation here today.
When Dr Mohinder Kaur Gill, a Sikh scholar, wanted the inclusion of baptised women among Panj Piyare ( Five Beloved Ones), Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh chided her for raising such sensitive issues publicly. He, however, said such matters should have been taken up by the sub-committee of SGPC representatives, Akal Takht, Sikh intellectuals and baptised women.
Rajinder Singh Mehta, member, executive committee, SGPC, at the function said women could not be allowed to participate in Panj Piyare or perform kirtan/seva due to a variety of reasons. He said the Almighty had differentiated man from woman at the time of birth, hence nobody should raise such a demand.
Dr Mohinder Kaur, contradicting her own point, said the SGPC had given certain administrative reasons for disallowing women to clean the sanctum sanctorum or carry Guru Granth Sahib in a palanquin, but there was no valid reason to deny them a chance to perform kirtan.
Bibi Jagir Kaur, after taking over as SGPC chief in 1999, had announced to treat baptised women on a par with men for discharging religious duties in the Golden Temple. Earlier, then acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh had taken a jatha of baptised women to perform seva in the sanctum sanctorum, along with wife of Harbhajan Singh Yogi. Later, notwithstanding her announcement on February 3, 2003, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, a former general secretary, SGPC, could not arrange kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum.
Gender discrimination in the Golden Temple was highlighted at the international level on February 15, 2003, when two England-based Sikh women were allegedly assaulted by SGPC sevadars during ‘sukhasan’ (carrying Guru Granth Sahib in palanquin) in the Golden Temple .
Earlier, at the seminar Dr Upinderjit Kaur, education minister, said to preserve moral and ethical values in society, women should have to do introspection to awaken society ethically, morally and artistically by eradicating social evils. Women and organisations, including GND University, Punjabi University, SGPC, Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chandigarh, and Naad Pargaas Sri Amritsar participated in the seminar. The minister congratulated Dr Jasbir Kaur, president, and said such seminars would help form an ideal society.

What is members' opinion on this . Please share .

I cannot believe when our Guru's have granted TOTAL equality to women in Sikhi we are arguing about such issues?

This is just plain ridiculous. The Takht needs to wake up.

amritpalsingh · #3 (**permalink**) 14-Oct-2008, 06:05 AM

when women can do kirtan at other places, why not in Darbar sahib? either they should be allowed everywhere or nowhere.

what is the reason for this difference ...

pk70 · #4 (**permalink**) 14-Oct-2008, 07:47 AM

Where is any reference in Sree Guru Granth Sahib ji where it is hinted the women should be kept out of Guru Seva. History proves contrary to it. Shame on these so called "Sikh leaders" who decide against the religion they are trying to represent. They are not even worth to be called Guru followers as Guru says
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23266
ਨਾਰੀ ਪੁਰਖ ਸਬਾਈ ਲੋਇ ॥੩॥
नारी पुरख सबाई लोइ ॥३॥( M-1 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 223)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23266
Nārī purakẖ sabā▫ī lo▫e. ||3||
Among all the women and the men, His Light is shining. ||3||

Astroboy · #5 (**permalink**) 14-Oct-2008, 08:39 AM

Page 599, Line 2
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਏਕ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮੋਈ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
गुरमुखि एक द्रिसटि करि देखहु घटि घटि जोति समोई जीउ ॥२॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23266
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23266
Gurmukẖ ek ḏarisat kar ḏekẖhu gẖat gẖat joṯ samo▫ī jī▫o. ||2||
As Gurmukh, look upon all with the single eye of equality; in each and every heart, the Divine Light is contained. ||2||
Guru Nanak Dev - view Shabad/Paurhi/Salok

robinkhalsa · #6 (**permalink**) 14-Oct-2008, 22:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randip singh

I cannot believe when our Guru's have granted TOTAL equality to women in Sikhi we are arguing about such issues?

This is just plain ridiculous. The Takht needs to wake up.

where is the equality regarding this matter? , show me a incident of equality?