Punjab Outlook

Amritsar –Bharatiya Janata Party, Punjab spokesperson and Sikh thinker Prof. Sarchand Singh Khaila has appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee and Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat to clarify the doubts of the Sikh Sangat in the light of Gurmat Mariyad and previous orders that – Can a special person or sadhu be allowed to sit on a chair in the Guru Durbar due to physical disability?
Prof. Khayala said that for the past few days, the case of a dera chief belonging to Bathinda sitting on a chair near Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji has become a topic of discussion in the Sikh world. A section of the Sikh society is seriously objecting to this act, while the said saint and his supporters are still trying to justify it with arguments and arguments instead of apologizing for it as a mistake. They are saying that it is not inappropriate to sit on a chair just as Guru Sahib sits on one throne and the storyteller or Kirtaniye Singh sits on the other.
Prof. Khyla raised the question whether such arguments are consistent with the basic principles of Gurmat. In some Gurdwaras, there is arrangement of chairs or benches in the back part for the elderly or disabled people so that they can have darshan while maintaining the respect of Guru Sahib, but the tradition of sitting on a chair equal to Guru Granth Sahib ji has never existed before.
He reminded that the ruling issued by the Panch Singh Sahibans on 20 April 1998 clearly stated that the Guru’s langar should be received only by sitting on the ground, this is the Gurmat ki riti hai. Similarly, in the decree of 24th October 2000, it was also clarified that the Sangat should sit in front of Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji with full respect. Only in the case of physical incapacity can a separate arrangement be made, that too keeping in mind that there is no reduction in the honor of Guru Sahib.
Prof. Khayla said that the main question is whether an exemption can be given for a special person. The silence of the Shiromani Committee and the Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat in the matter of the present controversy is creating serious doubts in the Sikh Sangat. Is this silence because the controversial sadhu recently spoke openly in support of the appointment of Gyani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as executive jathedar of Takht Shree Kesgarh Sahib and Shree Akal Takht Sahib by the Akali Dal and the Shiromani Committee — when most Sikh organizations condemned that appointment and dastarbandi?
He said that although the public service work done by that sadhu is commendable, but when it comes to respect for Gurmat Maryada and Guru Sahib, special exemption cannot be given to anyone. The Sikh tradition has always been one of equality and respect, where all congregants sit together in the Guru’s court and listen to the voice of the Guru and take langar in the pangat.
In the end Prof. Khayala said that honoring Guru Sahib is our highest priority, there can be no compromise on this.
He appealed to the Shiromani Committee and the Shri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat to issue a clear message in the light of Gurmat Siddhants and Hukmanamas, so that there is no confusion or division in the Sikh Sangat.