Vaheguruu
SPNer
SHAME ON GURDWARA COMMITTEE
Sunday 13th November, 2005Fauja Singh – Panthic Weekly Staff
The reports suggest that at the party, which took place inside the Gurdwara building compound, influential politicians were also present. The politicans included the Labour MP James Plaskitt for Warwick & Leamington who while enjoying the hospitality of the Gurdwara Committee (by drinking alcohol and eating meat), said, “Now, I know, which is the best room in the Gurdwara!”
Members of the Sangat (Sikh Community), who happened to be visiting the Gurdwara at the time, walked in--to the smell of meat being cooked. “All I could smell is alcohol and meat when I stepped into the Gurdwara” said one member of sangat.
As the sangat walked past the room to investigate the smell, they were shocked and horrified to hear the words of MP James Plaskitt. As the sangat entered the room they saw a party hall set up for an estimated 100 people. On each table the sangat found dishes of lamb meat accompanied by bottles of whiskey, Bacardi, beer, and other intoxicants.
Is the Guru’s Darbaar not the best room in the Gurdwara? Or is a room designated for socialising within the Gurdwara building the best room because they make meat (using Gurdwara utensils) and enjoy drinking barcardi, whiskey and beer?
In the room, sources describe a special bar which has been made and a large television on which people were watching football. The event was claimed to be a Diwali party, even though it went against the basic principles of the Sikh faith and celebrating a Gurpurb of Bandi Chhorr was reduced to alcohol and meat being served by the Gurdwara committee secretaries. Members of the sangat described the room as having a pub like atmosphere.
Members of the committee who were in Guru's roop (form) with dastar (turban) and beard were caught eating meat and consuming alcohol on the Gurdwara premises in that room. Meat and alcohol was made, served and consumed using utensils and cutlery from Guru Ka Langar (community kitchen).
Drinking alcohol is a gross violation of the Sikh tenets, however drinking within the Gurdwara premises is an even worse insult and desecration. Sangat members who came across this grotesque insult to the Sikh faith peacefully asked the drinking party, “Why are you drinking in the Gurdwara? This is not allowed [according to our faith]!” It was claimed that a Gurdwara Committee Member stood up to the concerned Gursikhs and said, “This is not your Gurdwara, this is OUR Gurdwara. We can do as we please!”
Disgusted by the response of the drunkard man who had a white flowing beard, the Gursikhs reminded the Gurdwara Committee members and the men indulging in consuming intoxicants and meat that “This is not YOUR Gurdwara, it is the GURU’s Gurdwara.” The committee members then started throwing alcohol and meat at the Sangat who were left shocked at what was happening.
Reports suggest that the drunkard men from the party felt insulted by the Gursikhs who had interrupted their drinking session and so attacked the Gursikhs. A scuffle then followed as sangat Gursikhs tried to defend themselves as committee members began to physically assault and remove dastars (turbans) of the sangat.
Members of the Sangat were even more ashamed of knowing that the General Secretary and Stage Secretary of the Gurdwara, who have white beards and who are meant to lead the Sikh community and guard the Sikh Rehat Maryada, promoting Gurmat in the Gurdwara premises, were seen drinking alcohol and enjoying the evening with the politicians, Gurdwara Committee members and other local members of Leamington Spa.
Sangat's (community) donations to the Gurdwara for its upkeep, propagating the Sikh religion and for Panthic causes were being used to entertain influential politicians and have parties which desecrated the Sikh place of worship, values and Sikh religion.
Panthic Weekly has received reports that some members of the committee are threatening to carry on with such practises, “we will be prepared next time,” is a quote Panthic Weekly has received from sources.
What next? In the eighteenth century, Massa Rangar drank alcohol, ate meat and had prostitute-dancing girls in the premises of Harmandar Sahib. Members of the Sangat will be writing to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Sikhs supreme authoritative body in Amritsar Sahib, in regards to the growing laxity of discipline and respect for Gurmat and the property of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji amongst some Gurdwaras in the UK, in particular, Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara Sahib.
Panthic Weekly will keep you updated with any news regarding this serious matter.
