This Above all
Driven by the greed for power
KHUSHWANT SINGH
AN anecdote was fabricated about Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra who was elected President of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee) for a record period of 18 years. It was said that once as the Jathedar was leaving the Golden Temple, he was accosted by an elderly woman who touched his feet and placed a ten-rupee note on them. Taken aback, Tohra protested: "Bibi, go and place this money in front of the Granth Sahib." The lady replied: "Jathedarji, it will ultimately come to you, so why do I have to go through the ritual and not hand it directly to you?"
There is no substance to the story. Jathedar Tohra was a wily politician and used the SGPC’s enormous income from offerings to keep his stranglehold on the many institutions run by it and ensure his re-election year after year. Unlike other leaders, he never feathered his own nest. He lived a spartan life of a small farmer in his village. The story gained currency because it made a point. All religious institutions, be they Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, are corrupt to the core. Since offerings are made in cash, opportunities of pilferage are plentiful. That is why every time they have elections, candidates fight like dogs to get elected. They are not motivated either by Sewa of their gurus or the Panth but greed for power, patronage and money (golak, the brass pitcher in which the offerings are put.) K.J.S. Ahluwalia of Amritsar who specialises fabricating new versions of abbreviations — at times he sends me ten post cards a day — with his suggestions, writes it was time that the SGPC was re-named Shiromani Golak Prabandhak Committee.
Personally I am for the government taking over the managements of all religious institutions and appointing civil servants belonging to the community to manage them. :shock:
I am sure many people will agree with me. I am equally sure this is not likely to happen as no governments, Central or state, could be able to stand up against the onslaught of vested interests and bigots construing the move as an attack on religion. Even states run by Communists haven’t dared to make a move in that direction.
Our best bet is to build up public opinion against the skulduggery rampant in the managements of our temples, mosques, dargahs, gurdwaras and shrines — not to destroy religions but to prevent squandering money on meaningless rituals (e.g. organising massive processions comprising elephants, horses, gutka groups, bands on the pretext they are Nagar Keertans), but to restore religious practices to the pristine purity.
The Tribune - Magazine section - Saturday Extra
Driven by the greed for power
KHUSHWANT SINGH
AN anecdote was fabricated about Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra who was elected President of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee) for a record period of 18 years. It was said that once as the Jathedar was leaving the Golden Temple, he was accosted by an elderly woman who touched his feet and placed a ten-rupee note on them. Taken aback, Tohra protested: "Bibi, go and place this money in front of the Granth Sahib." The lady replied: "Jathedarji, it will ultimately come to you, so why do I have to go through the ritual and not hand it directly to you?"
There is no substance to the story. Jathedar Tohra was a wily politician and used the SGPC’s enormous income from offerings to keep his stranglehold on the many institutions run by it and ensure his re-election year after year. Unlike other leaders, he never feathered his own nest. He lived a spartan life of a small farmer in his village. The story gained currency because it made a point. All religious institutions, be they Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, are corrupt to the core. Since offerings are made in cash, opportunities of pilferage are plentiful. That is why every time they have elections, candidates fight like dogs to get elected. They are not motivated either by Sewa of their gurus or the Panth but greed for power, patronage and money (golak, the brass pitcher in which the offerings are put.) K.J.S. Ahluwalia of Amritsar who specialises fabricating new versions of abbreviations — at times he sends me ten post cards a day — with his suggestions, writes it was time that the SGPC was re-named Shiromani Golak Prabandhak Committee.
Personally I am for the government taking over the managements of all religious institutions and appointing civil servants belonging to the community to manage them. :shock:
I am sure many people will agree with me. I am equally sure this is not likely to happen as no governments, Central or state, could be able to stand up against the onslaught of vested interests and bigots construing the move as an attack on religion. Even states run by Communists haven’t dared to make a move in that direction.Our best bet is to build up public opinion against the skulduggery rampant in the managements of our temples, mosques, dargahs, gurdwaras and shrines — not to destroy religions but to prevent squandering money on meaningless rituals (e.g. organising massive processions comprising elephants, horses, gutka groups, bands on the pretext they are Nagar Keertans), but to restore religious practices to the pristine purity.
The Tribune - Magazine section - Saturday Extra
