Mastuana Sahib still looks like Golden Temple, says SGPC panel

Parvesh Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Sangrur, February 10

The SGPC panel, formed to probe the Golden Temple replica row, today visited Gurdwara Singh Sabha at Mastuana Sahib and said it still looked like a replica as its management had not made the mandatory changes in its design as per the 2009 edict of the Akal Takht.

The panel has prepared a detailed report for action against the management and immediate changes in design and will submit it to the SGPC. “The gurdwara management has not made all changes as per the Akal Takht directions. It still looks like Golden Temple and hurts religious sentiments of Sikhs. We will submit a report to SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal. We have recommended that the SGPC should set a deadline to make changes in the gurdwara design,” said SGPC executive member Hardev Singh Rogla, who led the four-member panel.

The SGPC recommendations are likely to cause tension in the area as villagers had announced on February 6 that they would not allow further change in the design of gurdwara.

On July 20, 2009, the Akal Takht had directed the SGPC to fill the sarovar of the replica with sand, remove the bridge leading to the shrine and other structural changes.

“The management has neither filled the sarovar nor closed the passage through it and has temporarily closed Har Ki Pauri. They have also not made other structural changes that were recommended. It’s a violation of the Akal Takht edict. The management should also face action,” said Bhupinder Bhalwan, a panel member.

Sukhwinder Singh, member of the Singh Sabha Gurdwara management committee, however, claimed they had already made the required changes.