Controversy of GGS Shipment, DSGMC Forms National Capital Region Body

July

2026

A controversy has erupted among Sikh organizations and Gurdwara committees in Canada over the shipment of 225 saroops (tomes) of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scripture and charter) by the apex Sikh management body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), to Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Surrey, Canada, through a sea cargo container. Several Sikh bodies have approached Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne), alleging violations of Sikh Rehit Maryada (code of conduct) and expressing concern over the handling and transportation of the saroops. The complaint has been submitted by the British Columbia Gurdwara Council Ontario Gurdwara Committees, and the Quebec Sikh Council. A separate representation was also submitted to the Akal Takht Secretariat by Sikh organization Awaaz-e-Qaum led by Nobaljeet Singh. SGPC secretary, Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, said on 13 Jul that the GGS saroops sent to Canada were transported with strict adherence to Sikh Rehit Maryada. He said that the reports of damage to the saroops were propaganda to malign the Sikh body. Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has formed an NCR (National Capital Region) Gurdwara Federation (NCR-GF) to bring hundreds of Gurdwaras in Delhi, New Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida from Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Faridabad and Gurugram from Haryana under one umbrella. While UP does not have a Gurdwara management body, the move raises conflicts with the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC). It is unclear where the Sikhs from these two cities will go for conflict resolution—HSGMC or NCR-GF. Simultaneously, a property dispute in Sanaur, Patiala district turned violent after a group of Nihangs (traditional warriors) allegedly assaulted members of a family during an attempt to take possession of a house. The property belonging to Ravinder Singh was allegedly sold to Tarvinder Singh for USD 44K a few months ago, of which USD 36K had already been paid. However, a court case related to the property is currently pending. Police alleged that Tarvinder brought a group of Nihang Sikhs to help him take possession of the house. Concurrently, a 45-year-old man, Mewa Singh, accused in a sacrilege case 2020 and recently released on bail, was hacked to death with a sharp-edged weapon in Ladpur Tooran village, Fatehgarh Sahib district. Police have launched a manhunt to trace the accused and are investigating the motive behind the murder (earlier coverage).