Sardar Gurmukh Singh Ji UK writes...
The following item also in the Panjab Times (later this week) is of wider Sikh interest:
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As we read the tragic news of the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji at village Moga (Thana Bhogpur), once again, serious questions are raised about the “seva sambhaal” of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. When such incidents happen, the question always arises, why Sri Guru Granth Sahib in darbar did not have at least one hazoori sevadar, or a guard? Is it not gross disrespect of the Jagat Jot Guru, to be left in parkaash state i.e. open for Sangat darshan, without any one in attendance?
About three years ago we were at Ravalsar, one of the most important places in Sikh history. I wrote about its historical importance in this column on return to the UK. When our small family group arrived, a dog was sitting at the entrance and there was no one inside the darbar hall while Sri Guru Garnth Sahib ji was in parkaash. Much worse, the dog had defecated nearby. When the local sevadar did come, we pointed this out to him. He just gave some evasive answer, recited the history of the place parrot fashion and gave us parshaad. The donations were, of course, warmly received!
The impression given is that we rush to built gurdwaras all over the world but think very little about how they would be looked after. We do not ensure that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji remains in total security. Most middle to larger villages in Panjab have more that one gurdwara – sometimes there are separate gurdwaras for different bradris (euphemism for anti-Sikhi castes and clans). Someone would come in the morning to do parkaash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, open the doors and return only in the evening to do sukh-aasan. In the day time there is no security and Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is left totally unguarded. That sort of neglect is criminal and the gurdwara management should be held accountable.
Such disrespect for the Guru is on the increase. Gurdwaras are built not to unite but to divide with least consideration for the Guru’s teaching. Gurdwaras are built in the name of kaar seva wasting Sangat’s resources while destroying our rich heritage. The destruction of Bebay Nanaki ji’s 500 year’s old house at Sultanpur is an outstanding example.
Our central institutions like the SGPC have shown ineffectiveness in preventing the repetition of such incidents. The need is to tackle the root causes instead of just fire-fighting.
Where there is Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, there must be a full time, tiar-bar-tiar hazoori sevadar.
Gurmukh Singh UK
The following item also in the Panjab Times (later this week) is of wider Sikh interest:
-------------------------------------------------
As we read the tragic news of the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji at village Moga (Thana Bhogpur), once again, serious questions are raised about the “seva sambhaal” of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. When such incidents happen, the question always arises, why Sri Guru Granth Sahib in darbar did not have at least one hazoori sevadar, or a guard? Is it not gross disrespect of the Jagat Jot Guru, to be left in parkaash state i.e. open for Sangat darshan, without any one in attendance?
About three years ago we were at Ravalsar, one of the most important places in Sikh history. I wrote about its historical importance in this column on return to the UK. When our small family group arrived, a dog was sitting at the entrance and there was no one inside the darbar hall while Sri Guru Garnth Sahib ji was in parkaash. Much worse, the dog had defecated nearby. When the local sevadar did come, we pointed this out to him. He just gave some evasive answer, recited the history of the place parrot fashion and gave us parshaad. The donations were, of course, warmly received!
The impression given is that we rush to built gurdwaras all over the world but think very little about how they would be looked after. We do not ensure that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji remains in total security. Most middle to larger villages in Panjab have more that one gurdwara – sometimes there are separate gurdwaras for different bradris (euphemism for anti-Sikhi castes and clans). Someone would come in the morning to do parkaash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, open the doors and return only in the evening to do sukh-aasan. In the day time there is no security and Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is left totally unguarded. That sort of neglect is criminal and the gurdwara management should be held accountable.
Such disrespect for the Guru is on the increase. Gurdwaras are built not to unite but to divide with least consideration for the Guru’s teaching. Gurdwaras are built in the name of kaar seva wasting Sangat’s resources while destroying our rich heritage. The destruction of Bebay Nanaki ji’s 500 year’s old house at Sultanpur is an outstanding example.
Our central institutions like the SGPC have shown ineffectiveness in preventing the repetition of such incidents. The need is to tackle the root causes instead of just fire-fighting.
Where there is Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, there must be a full time, tiar-bar-tiar hazoori sevadar.
Gurmukh Singh UK
