The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has intensified a brewing controversy in Sikh circles in Kashmir by sending a letter to a gurdwara in Gulmarg, stating that its president has 'directed' the change of its name. A section of Sikhs has approached the Akal Takht against this move.
The Gurdwara and the Dispute
The gurdwara is currently named after Bhai Vir Singh, a revered poet and theologian. The SGPC wants it to be renamed after the second Sikh Guru, Angad Dev. The letter, issued by the SGPC Dharam Prachar Committee secretary on May 29, references a letter from the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC), Baramulla, and states that 'as per the demand by DGPC, the hon'ble president of SGPC has issued the directive (aadesh kita hai) to change the name to Gurdwara Guru Angad Dev Ji Sahib.'
SGPC President's Clarification
When questioned, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami explained that the committee only issued an appeal for the name change in response to the DGPC letter. He acknowledged that the letter used the word 'aadesh' (directive) but claimed it was a mistake by SGPC staffers. 'SGPC can only issue an appeal and cannot issue any such directive. Moreover, the gurdwaras in Jammu and Kashmir are governed by the Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Gurdwaras and Religious Endowment Act, and SGPC cannot issue such directives to them,' Dhami said.
Opposition and Allegations
Rajinder Singh, a DGPC-Baramulla member opposing the name change, stated that after a sangat meeting on May 27, they emailed a representation to the Akal Takht on May 28 against the move. He alleged 'extraneous motives' behind the proposed renaming, noting that the issue was pending with the Akal Takht when the SGPC issued its letter.
However, DGPC president Paramjit Singh denied any ulterior motives, calling the move benevolent. He explained that the gurdwara was originally a 'Singh Sabha gurdwara' and only in the 1970s was Bhai Vir Singh's name associated with it. The main building was gutted in a fire in 1988. After taking charge in 2022, the DGPC began rebuilding and removing tenants. 'There was already a discussion in the sangat that the gurdwara should be named after a Sikh Guru instead of Bhai Vir Singh,' he said.
Role of SGPC and Donations
The DGPC sought help from SGPC to complete construction. Paramjit Singh elaborated that some SGPC members visited Kashmir and recommended contacting Gurinder Singh Bawa, an SGPC member from Maharashtra who serves in other Sikh bodies. Bawa sent a donation without conditions, suggesting the gurdwara be named after Guru Angad Dev. 'It was our suggestion to make him honorary chairman and to change the name, but a false narrative was spread that control of the gurdwara was being shifted,' Paramjit Singh said.
He further stated that the proposal to change the name is now on hold due to the controversy. 'We shall leave the decision to the sangat and will act accordingly,' he added.
