SGPC in full control of Golden Temple, says UNESCO

Neutral Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 08-Feb-2005, 12:56 PM

SGPC in full control of Golden Temple, says UNESCO
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, February 7
The SGPC today clarified that the inclusion of the Golden Temple on the World Heritage list would only provide international recognition to the outstanding values of the site without compromising its status, ownership, living traditions and practices.

Reacting strongly to the remarks of Mr Hardeep Singh, an SGPC member from Mohali, Ms Kiranjot Kaur, also a member of SGPC, in a press statement issued today, said that the registration unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee had expressly stated, "It notes in particular that the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 provides for governmental non-interference in the gurdwara management. Thus evidently, the SGPC has the complete autonomy to act."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/1737-sgpc-full-control-golden-temple-says.html

Mr Hardeep Singh had urged that SGPC to withdraw the nomination dossier submitted through the government and also to discuss the entire gamut of the dossier in the general House of the SGPC.

Ms Kiranjot Kaur felt that Mr Hardeep Singh had been misinformed about the whole issue of the nomination.

She alleged that he might be deliberately trying to misread the facts to spread misinformation among the Sikh masses.

Clarifying the statement of fact as mentioned in the dossier, Ms Kiranjot Kaur said the SGPC had the total control over the Golden Temple property while the state government would manage the buffer zone and the surrounding area of the temple in consultation with the SGPC only.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1737

She added that the state government would tackle the issues of management of pollution control, traffic, and urban planning, which form part of the buffer zone.