SGPC denies approval to Punjab Govt for kirtan darbar in Anandpur Sahib

The SAD-dominated Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has denied the Punjab Government permission to hold a kirtan darbar at Anandpur Sahib’s Sisganj Gurdwara, a development likely to overshadow events scheduled to be held to mark the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur.

The shrine stands at the place where the Guru’s severed head was brought for cremation from Delhi in 1675 by his disciple Bhai Jaita Ji, also known as Bhai Jiwan Singh.

Called ‘Hind Di Chadar’, the Guru was beheaded on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The SGPC, which is the apex gurdwara body and controls the management of the Anandpur Sahib shrine, had on earlier occasions, dubbed government programmes an interference in the Sikh affairs.

The body contended that only Sikh religious institutions should be entrusted with the responsibility of holding the events and the government should confine itself to only providing requisite infrastructure and facilities.

The SGPC has announced its own series of religious programmes from November 21 to 28 in Anandpur Sahib to mark the Guru’s martyrdom. A source said the state government had written to the SGPC, seeking permission to organise a kirtan darbar at the shrine, but despite reminders, the approval remained pending.

The SGPC has also not permitted the state government to use its inns and accommodation facilities, the source added. The government had requested for around 200 rooms in SGPC-run sarais to host guests from India and abroad, but no consent has been given so far.

When contacted, Gurdeep Singh Kang, manager of the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, confirmed that the government’s application for the kirtan darbar was submitted on November 2 and forwarded to the SGPC headquarters in Amritsar. He added that the request to hold a government-sponsored kirtan darbar at the shrine was “turned down” because “political events sometimes lead to violations of the Sikh religious code of conduct”.

“The SGPC itself will organise a kirtan darbar at the Sisganj Sahib and all devotees, including officials, are welcome to participate,” Kang said. Meanwhile, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who represents the Anandpur Sahib constituency and overseeing preparations, downplayed the development.

“The state government is cooperating with the SGPC and has fulfilled every requirement raised by the local management of the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib,” he said. “I am hopeful that all necessary permissions will soon be granted,” he added.