Akal Takht acting Jathedar urges Sikhs not to distance themselves from Gurbani amid concerns over new Punjab law
PTC Web Desk: Guryayi Diwas of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, was observed with religious fervour at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where devotees gathered in large numbers to pay obeisance. The occasion was marked by the conclusion of Akhand Path Sahib and special religious congregations.
Addressing the Sikh community, acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, appealed to Sikhs not to allow fear of any government legislation to weaken their connection with Gurbani. He urged the community to continue preserving and respecting copies of Guru Granth Sahib, sanchis, gutkas and other Sikh religious literature in their homes as they have traditionally done.
Expressing concern over recent developments, the Jathedar said reports had emerged that some individuals were removing religious scriptures from their homes due to apprehensions surrounding the newly enacted law. He also referred to an incident in Ferozepur Jail where Sikh inmates were allegedly deprived of gutkas and sanchis, describing such developments as a matter of serious concern for the community.
Calling for collective action, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj urged the Sikh Panth to remain united in safeguarding its religious traditions and rights. He reiterated that the Punjab government's anti-sacrilege Act is not acceptable to the Sikh Panth in its present form.
According to the Jathedar, several provisions of the legislation are objectionable as they could create barriers between Sikhs and Gurbani. He announced that a gathering of the five Sikh high priests (Panj Singh Sahibaan) would soon be convened to deliberate on the issue and issue further directions to the community.
He also recalled that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had earlier summoned Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and conveyed its concerns regarding the disputed provisions. The state government had been given a 15-day ultimatum to convene a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and amend the law.
The deadline expired on May 26, but no response has yet been received from the Punjab Government regarding the directives issued by the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.
- PTC NEWS
