Pathankot Sikh Group Reports Alleged Desecration of Holy Scripture at Local Gurdwara
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) Satkar Committee, a prominent Sikh organization, made serious allegations on Saturday regarding an incident of desecration involving the Guru Granth Sahib at a gurdwara located in the Rampura area of Pathankot. This development has sparked concern and outrage within the local Sikh community, prompting immediate action from religious authorities and law enforcement.
Committee Takes Custody of Damaged Sacred Pages
Balbir Singh Muchal, who serves as the All India president of the SGGS Satkar Committee, provided detailed information about the distressing discovery. According to Muchal, the committee has taken possession of the damaged angs, which are the sacred pages of the holy book. He revealed that these pages were found to have been improperly fixed together using adhesive tape, a method considered highly disrespectful and sacrilegious in Sikh religious practices.
Following this discovery, the damaged pages were handed over to the management of Gurdwara Sahib Sri Barath. This gurdwara operates under the supervision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the central religious body responsible for managing Sikh shrines in India. The transfer of the pages was intended to ensure proper handling and investigation by the appropriate religious authorities.
Additional Concerns Raised About Religious Practices
In addition to the desecration incident, Balbir Singh Muchal highlighted further issues regarding religious conduct at the gurdwara. He informed that the granthi, or priest, of Gurdwara Makhani Singh was unable to recite the Japji Sahib correctly. The Japji Sahib is a fundamental and revered prayer in Sikhism, composed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and its proper recitation is considered essential in daily religious services. This lapse has raised questions about the training and oversight of religious personnel at the site.
Police Involvement and Calls for Formal Complaint
The SGGS Satkar Committee acted promptly by notifying the local administration about the alleged desecration. In response, the Station House Officer (SHO) from the Division II police station arrived at the gurdwara to assess the situation and initiate preliminary investigations. This step underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the matter, given its potential to inflame religious sentiments.
Balbir Singh Muchal emphasized that the committee has urged the manager of Gurdwara Sahib Sri Barath to formally request the SGPC and the Akal Takht—the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority—to file a police complaint. The objective is to ensure that a First Information Report (FIR) is registered, which would facilitate a thorough and official investigation into the incident. Such legal action is seen as crucial for holding accountable those responsible and preventing future occurrences.
This incident in Pathankot has drawn attention to the need for heightened vigilance and proper protocols in the handling of sacred texts within gurdwaras. It also reflects broader concerns about religious sensitivity and the protection of cultural heritage in diverse communities across India.
