High priests reject Italian kirpan

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 27

The Italy-made “siri sahib” (kirpan) was rejected by Akal Takht today for failing to conform to the Sikh code of conduct.

The five high priests today disapproved of the “replica” of kirpan having a bendable blade and asked the Sikh community living in Italy to seek permission for wearing the original small-size kirpan.

On June 26, a delegation from Italy, including an Italian Sikh activist Sukhdev Singh Kang, had submitted a set of modified kirpan to Akal Takht for seeking its formal approval on wearing it.

Italian delegates Rozy Roberto and El Lorenjo had stated then that since the original kirpan carried by Sikhs in Italy appeared more like a weapon, the authorities came up with this model.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had put the matter on hold to discuss it with the five high priests.

He said irrespective of the size, the kirpan was worn as a religious symbol as defined by Guru Gobind Singh under the norm of “panj kakaar” - kesh (uncut hair), kanga (a wooden comb for hair), kara (an iron bracelet), kachera (100 per cent cotton undergarment tied with a string and not an elastic one) and kirpan (an iron dagger large enough to defend oneself).

“Today, after observing the religious aspect, coupled with the suggestions received from the Sikh organisations and experts from all over the globe, the five high priests concluded that the Italian replica of kirpan never conformed to the rehat maryada. Acceptance of this model will have severe and negative repercussions for Sikhs across the world and hence cannot be approved,” he said.

Takth Damdama Sahib management summoned

Taking cognisance of the violation of tenets, the high priests today summoned the management of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib gurdwara for alleged shortcomings in performing “parkash” of a handwritten Guru Granth Sahib recently.

The handwritten Guru Granth Sahib “saroop” was prepared by Malaysia resident Jaswant Singh Khosa and was presented to Takht Damdama Sahib.

The five high priests — Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Golden Temple’s additional head priest Giani Jagtar Singh and Akal Takht’s head priest Giani Malkeet Singh — assembled at the Akal Takht secretariat today.

They summoned Takht Damdama Sahib head priest Giani Jagtar Singh, akhand path in charge Jarnail Singh, manager Jagjit Singh and Jaswant Singh at Akal Takht to clarify their stance.

As per the precedence, it was mandatory for any handwritten “saroop” to be sent to Akal Takht for revision and the mistakes, if any, had to be removed. Thereafter, the “saroop” could go through the “parkash” ceremony. In the present case, the procedure was not followed. “This action was taken on the basis of an inquiry report submitted by the SGPC’s panel constituted for the purpose. The SGPC has been directed to take action against the management of Takht Damdama Sahib,” Giani Gurbachan Singh said.

‘Kirtan by women under discussion’ 

On allowing Gursikh women to perform Gurbani kirtan at the Golden Temple, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said, “As per maryada, the women are barred from performing kirtan at the Golden Temple. However, the matter is still under discussion with the five high priests.”

Clergy ostracises Sikh writer, bans books 

• Sikh intellectual Harjinder Singh Dilgeer has been ostracised for allegedly using offensive language in his writings on amrit, ardas, Dasam Baani and Damdami Taksal. The five high priests also banned his books.
• The high priests sought a clarification from the writer at the Akal Takht secretariat and directed the Sikh community to abstain from having any religious, social or political relationship with him.