A significant controversy has erupted in Punjab after a recent government notification declaring the walled city of Amritsar a 'Holy City'. The move has drawn strong criticism from Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Kiranjot Kaur, who has raised serious objections, particularly targeting clauses related to the sale and consumption of meat.
Accusations of 'Brahmanising' Sikh Practices
In a forceful social media post, Kiranjot Kaur accused the Punjab government of attempting to "brahmanise" the Sikh community. She clarified the Sikh religious stance, noting that while tobacco and 'kutha' (halal) meat are explicitly prohibited in Sikhism, alcohol and other intoxicants are also forbidden. However, she strongly emphasized that jhatka meat remains a legitimate right of the community.
Kaur called upon the SGPC president to formally lodge objections with the state government. She urged a return from the religious conduct, or 'maryada', of 'deradar' (temple caretakers) to the established Sikh 'maryada'.
Historical Precedence and the Government Notification
To support her argument, Kiranjot Kaur highlighted important historical contexts. She pointed out that the Akali Dal held a 'Jhatka Conference' back in 1935. She also cited several historical accounts of Sikh Gurus and Sikhs engaging in hunting. Specifically, she mentioned a 'sakhi' (anecdote) where Guru Nanak Dev Ji is said to have cooked deer meat from Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse.
The contentious notification, issued by the Punjab government on December 15, directs restrictions on the sale and use of meat within the walled city of Amritsar, as well as within the municipal limits of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. The directive came from the administrative secretary of the department of animal husbandry. A key point of contention is that the notification does not specify which type of meat—kutha (halal) or other varieties—is affected, creating widespread ambiguity.
Divergent Views Within the Community
The issue has exposed differing interpretations of Sikh tenets. Contrary to Kiranjot Kaur's position, former Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh asserted that Gurbani does not permit the consumption of any meat, including jhatka. He stated, "In fact, killing animals for food is forbidden in Gurbani. It is true that in earlier times Sikhs consumed meat, especially during wars, but that was out of necessity."
Ranjit Singh went a step further, challenging anyone with doubts to a televised debate on the subject, indicating the depth of the theological disagreement this notification has triggered.
The Punjab government's 'Holy City' declaration has thus opened a complex debate, intertwining religious identity, historical practices, and governmental policy, with stakeholders from within the Sikh community presenting opposing views on a matter close to religious observance and tradition.
