SGPC: Rituals, Code of Conduct, and Sikh Representation

During the nagar kirtan (processional singing) on the Parkash Purab (birth-Illumination day) of Guru Ramdas on 30 Oct, Kuljit Singh from Himachal Pradesh, organized a flower petal shower on the Darbar Sahib (“Golden Temple”) in Amritsar. His action faced censure from some in the Sikh community, especially by Neena Singh from Sikh Legal Aid (SLA). Singh made a request to the SGPC and the Akal Takht Jathedar to disallow flights over the Golden Temple. Once again, the community picks one issue but ignores the larger one. On certain Sikh festivals, the SGPC permits the Darbar Sahib to be bedecked in flowers costing millions of rupees. The next day flowers wilt and are thrown away. Sikhi is against idolatry and meaningless rituals as articulated in Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct), the SGPC ought to abide by it. Meanwhile, the Sikhs of Jharkhand and Bihar sought participation in the SGPC. During the visit of SGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal to Ranchi, Kulwinder Singh from Sikh Advocates argued that representation from Sikhs across the nation was not only fair but also logical. The advocate pressed for the removal of the requirement that individuals be members of SAD to participate in SGPC. He emphasized that dedication to Sikhi should be the determining factor. Given the crises in SGPC – Delhi already separated, Haryana is breaking away, now Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are raising their voices – it would be prudent for the body to heed this request.