‘Desecration’ in Ontario, Takht warns of action

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 9

The incident of “desecration” at an Ontario (Canada) gurdwara has taken a new turn with the Akal Takht Jathedar pulling up the five-member Halton Gurdwara Management committee and members of the raagi jatha, which peformed at the controversial “anand karaj” ceremony on July 4.

The Takht secretariat had got e-mails and social media was abuzz with the video of the “anand karaj” at Halton Sikh Culture Association Gurdwara in Brampton. The viral video shows how chairs were used for the bride and the groom during the ceremony.

The Jathedar has sought a written explanation from the management committee, saying if the committee failed to come out with a satisfactory explanation within 10 days, strict action will be taken. The Jathedar’s letter held all those responsible who were present in the hall and who facilitated the ceremony as no one objected to the act of “desecration”.

The committee comnprises five Canadian Sikhs: Jaswant Singh (chairman), Balbir Singh (president), Amrik Singh (general secretary), Bhai Jora Singh (granthi) and Bhai Avtar Singh (raagi).