Bluestar:Expert wary of SGPC move to preserve ‘saroop’ of bir

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 14

An expert on Sikh affairs has expressed apprehension over the SGPC’s move to preserve the “saroop” (copy) of Guru Granth Sahib, which was damaged by bullets during Operation Bluestar, with external material.

A Delhi-based educationist and writer on Sikh affairs, Dr Amanpreet Singh Gill, asserted that the bullet mark on the “saroop”, dating back to 1921 Saka Nankana Sahib, was also lost during its preservation.

He apprehended that the bullet marks would also be lost in the preservation of the “saroop” damaged in 1984.

He said the copies of the holy scripture must be preserved on “as it is where it is” basis.

He claimed that there were two bullet-marked copies of Guru Granth Sahib. One was kept in the Sachkhand (sanctum sanctorum) and another at Har ki Paudi in the Golden Temple during the Operation Bluestar in 1984.

Both these “saroops” along with a saroop dating back to 1921, which was also damaged during the Saka Nankana Sahib, were kept at the Golden Temple’s Toshakhana.

He said former Conservation Director of National Museum, Delhi, SP Singh and another conservationist from Hyderabad-based Salar Jung Museum were engaged in the preservation of the “saroops”.

Takht Damdama Sahib’s former Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh said these “saroops” of the holy scripture must be preserved as memorial for the posterity. He said the Saka Nankana Sahib “saroop” contained marks of sharp-edged weapons, instead of bullet mark.

SGPC chief secretary Roop Singh said there was no point of losing history while preserving the damaged “birs”. He said a transparent and very light paper was being used to support deteriorating “angs” of the saroop.

He brushed away the allegation of the “saroop” dating back to 1921 losing its damaged marks after its preservation through the identical technique a few years ago.