CONTROVERSY OVER BIRS
Akal Takht chief summons warring parties on July 22
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 17
Taking serious note of the issue of printing of some ‘birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib by an NRI, the Akal Takht has summoned all the parties involved in the matter during a meeting of five Sikh high priests on July 22.
Addressing mediapersons here today, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said, “The matter of printing birs with gold-enriched ink is linked to the respect of Guru Granth Sahib and it should not be given political colour. All Sikh organisations should refrain from going to the media over the issue.”
This statement of the Jathedar was apparently aimed at the war of words between the SGPC and the DSGMC that began after the controversy. He said a three-member committee formed by the SGPC to investigate the matter had submitted its report to the Akal Takht and the five Sikh high priests would discuss it at their meeting on July 22. The committee comprises Bhai Mal Singh, Giani Bharpur Singh and Bhai Mann Singh. He said whosoever was guilty in the matter would be punished.
The Jathedar urged the DSGMC and other Sikh outfits who have called a meeting in this regard in Ludhiana on July 19 to call off the meeting. “They should cancel the meeting and instead send their representative to the meeting of Sikh high priests to present their side of the story, besides giving suggestions over the issue,” he said.
Responding to another query over the “rivalry” between the SGPC and the DSGMC, he said SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna should work together for the welfare of the community.
It may be noted here that an NRI and his Phagwara-based aide had got some birs printed from a private publisher whose identity is not known. The birs printed in golden letters were given at historic gurdwara in Sang Dhesian village near Goraya, Gurdwara Sukhchain Sahib, Phagwara — both under SGPC control — and Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Town, Phagwara. These birs reportedly had some spelling mistakes, which sparked a row.
The SGPC has the exclusive rights for publication of Guru Granth Sahib worldwide. The Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Act promulgated by the state government in 2008 also banned printing of Guru Granth Sahib by any private publisher except the SGPC.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110718/punjab.htm#1
Akal Takht chief summons warring parties on July 22
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 17
Taking serious note of the issue of printing of some ‘birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib by an NRI, the Akal Takht has summoned all the parties involved in the matter during a meeting of five Sikh high priests on July 22.
Addressing mediapersons here today, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said, “The matter of printing birs with gold-enriched ink is linked to the respect of Guru Granth Sahib and it should not be given political colour. All Sikh organisations should refrain from going to the media over the issue.”
This statement of the Jathedar was apparently aimed at the war of words between the SGPC and the DSGMC that began after the controversy. He said a three-member committee formed by the SGPC to investigate the matter had submitted its report to the Akal Takht and the five Sikh high priests would discuss it at their meeting on July 22. The committee comprises Bhai Mal Singh, Giani Bharpur Singh and Bhai Mann Singh. He said whosoever was guilty in the matter would be punished.
The Jathedar urged the DSGMC and other Sikh outfits who have called a meeting in this regard in Ludhiana on July 19 to call off the meeting. “They should cancel the meeting and instead send their representative to the meeting of Sikh high priests to present their side of the story, besides giving suggestions over the issue,” he said.
Responding to another query over the “rivalry” between the SGPC and the DSGMC, he said SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna should work together for the welfare of the community.
It may be noted here that an NRI and his Phagwara-based aide had got some birs printed from a private publisher whose identity is not known. The birs printed in golden letters were given at historic gurdwara in Sang Dhesian village near Goraya, Gurdwara Sukhchain Sahib, Phagwara — both under SGPC control — and Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Town, Phagwara. These birs reportedly had some spelling mistakes, which sparked a row.
The SGPC has the exclusive rights for publication of Guru Granth Sahib worldwide. The Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Act promulgated by the state government in 2008 also banned printing of Guru Granth Sahib by any private publisher except the SGPC.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110718/punjab.htm#1