‘Allow women ragis at Golden Temple’

Vishav Bharti
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 6

Putting the SGPC in the dock, Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa brought out two resolutions, demanding for the first time that women be allowed to perform kirtan at Golden Temple and the rights of live telecast of gurbani from the shrine be made open to all channels.

At present, the Badal family-owned PTC has the sole rights of live telecast of the kirtan. This resolution was unanimously passed by the House where even a few Akali MLAs also failed to oppose the same. It will now be sent to the SGPC.

Bajwa lamented that even after 550 years of Baba Nanak explaining the significance of place of women in society, they were not allowed to perform kirtan or sewa of Parkash Asthan of Guru Granth Sahib.

Opposing the move, Akali MLA from Nakodar Gurpartap Singh Wadala said that the decision to now allow the women to perform kirtan was part of the “Sikh code of conduct” laid down by Akal Takht. “It will amount to interfering in the religious issues,” he said.