Patit row mars Mumbai event

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 7

The participation of high priests, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, in a Gurmat Sangeet programme in Mumbai, which featured a performance by ‘patit’ (with shorn hair) Bollywood singer Mika Singh has upset the Sikh community.

Besides the three Takht heads, SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal and other SGPC officials were also present at the event held on January 6. This occasion was scheduled as per the Nanakshahi calendar, which has already been rejected by Akal Takht.

As per directions of Akal Takht, the SGPC had celebrated the occasion on ‘Poh (Sudi 7)’ that was held on December 25, 2017.

The apex body had even disallowed the sending of ‘raagi jathas’ (preachers) for the programmes scheduled as per the Nanakshahi calendar. But the SGPC itself was part of the Mumbai programme.

SGPC’s spokesperson and additional secretary Diljit Singh said the ‘gurmat’ occasion could be celebrated any day. “Had there been any violation of ‘maryada’, the Takht Jathedars who were there would have known about it,” he said.

Former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee Harwinder Singh Sarna said there was gross violation of Sikh ‘rehat maryada’ (tenets). He pointed out that film actors touched the feet of Takht heads and were honoured with ‘siropa’ (robe of honour).

“As per norms, only a ‘puran’ Sikh (baptised) can perform gurbani kirtan in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib,” he said.

Taking cognisance of the violation of “maryada”, Takht Damdama Sahib’s former Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh and SGPC’s former general secretary and Panthic Front convener Sukhdev Singh Bhaur demanded that the Takht heads and SGPC president should submit a public apology.

SGPC’s former general secretary and member Kiranjot Kaur too took notice of this violation and demanded that Takht heads should come out with a clarification.