Sikh activist opposes Golden Temple listing as World Heritage...

Neutral Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 18-Sep-2004, 08:50 AM

Sikh activist opposes Golden Temple listing in radio interview
17th September, 2004

A potentially big rift within the world-wide Sikh community was highlighted today when a senior community activist expressed his worry that the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, was in danger of being lost control of. In an interview with the BBC Asian Network he said he was opposed to the shrine being designated a world heritage site.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/704-sikh-activist-opposes-golden-temple-listing.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=704

The Golden Temple is being considered for inclusion on the UN's list of the world's most important places. But human rights activist Dr Jasdev Singh Rai, speaking on the Breakfast show with Gagan Grewal, said the move would put the holiest of Sikh shrines into the hands of the Indian government.
For further reading click --> http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/radio/604

etinder · #2 (**permalink**) 18-Sep-2004, 11:47 AM

Do you think by becoming a world heritage site harmindar sahib wud go in the hands of the Indian govt. whats every ones view?

regards

Mr §ingh · #3 (**permalink**) 18-Sep-2004, 14:03 PM

It would, as Sikhs have to ask fopr permission for every single small thing happening
Sarbat Khalse for example - if Sikhs wnt it Goi can plainly say 'NO' n Sikhs can't do nohign about it
this si compromising of the authority of Akal Takht Sahib highest court of the Sikhs - we do not ned the permission of some external party to help ourselves....

please read this -
http://witness84.com/unesco/

Quote:

Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib
:: Heritage Status For Sri Darbar Sahib ::

The Sikhs face a big threat to their sovereignty - the jurisdiction of the Sri Harimandir Sahib and Akal Takht is to be formally conceded over to the jurisdiction of the Indian Government, if this 'behind the scenes stealth' move is allowed to go through.

Without any consultation with the Panth, collusion between the Government of India and some misinformed Sikhs, has resulted in an application for 'heritage status' to UNESCO.

In essence, the Harimandir Sahib should have no formal juridical control by any manmade political institution. Its physical protection and management is the responsibility of the Sikh Panth.

The Akal Takht is the political seat of Sikhs, representing the sovereignty of Guru Panth in the balance of Guru Granth & Guru Panth - it is the 'living' decision making institution of the Sikh Panth. With a Heritage status, the independent sovereignty of Guru Panth will be formally taken away, making one of Sikhi's main institutions defunct. This is why the world's buildings representing seats of sovereignty institutions - like Buckingham Palace or Windsor Palace in UK, the White House, be as they be beautiful buildings, never apply for heritage status as they are 'living' sovereign institutions.

We present the argument below in more detail- the pros and cons for this application in order for a consultation within the global Sikh community. In addition to this website, we are taking this argument into the community.

Witness84 was able to get hands on this 'very secret' document - an event that in itself sent alarm signals. We have studied this document and had lawyers in the UK deliberate on the documents.

Witness84 is taking a stand of opposing this application with the most forceful vigour. Our campaign is to make representations to UNESCO and SGPC - we make these letters available below for YOU to join in and make this a common Panthic campaign, which requires urgent action as the application is at an advanced stage.

Please support witness84 and send the attached emails meantioned on

http://witness84.com/unesco/

regards

etinder · #4 (**permalink**) 20-Sep-2004, 02:21 AM

Thats a nice piece of information singh ji

i guess we should also debate this in our forum ad try to get everyone's views.
that what sikhs at large think of this?
regards