Sri Akal Takht Sahib re-emphasizes Sandesh of 2006

Press Release & Sangat Update

Amritsar, India - 27 September 2011

Sri Akal Takht Sahib re-emphasizes Sandesh of 2006

Meeting of Singh Sahibaan’s at Akal Takht Sahib recognises work of Satkaar Campaign

From left to right: Giani Mal Singh Granthi Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh Takht Patna Sahib, Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Giani Tirlochan Singh Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh Takht Damdama Sahib

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars are pleased to inform the UK Sikh Sangat that a meeting of five Singh Sahibaan’s at the Akal Takht Sahib on 26 September 2011 re-emphasized the Akal Takht’s Sandesh of 2006 prohibiting the consumption of meat and alcohol on all Gurdwara property.

The Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, confirmed in a telephone conversation with Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars on 26 September 2011 that the five Singh Sahibaan’s discussed in their meeting correspondence received from the Satkaar Campaign in the matter of the 2006 Sandesh and confirmed that no functions with meat or alcohol are permitted whatsoever on Gurdwara owned property.

The Jathedar of the Akal Takht noted that Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars have been working to eradicate the sacrilege of party halls on Gurdwara premises in the UK and mandated management committees of Gurdwara’s, Gurdwara Council’s, Panthic Jathebandees and Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars to work together to resolve the matter going forward. Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars have also been instructed to keep the secretariat of the Akal Takht up to date with progress on the issue and have been informed that should matters not be resolved satisfactorily the Akal Takht will take necessary action going forward.

The discussion of the 2006 Sandesh at the Singh Sahibaan’s meeting at the Akal Takht on 26 September followed meetings between Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars and the Jathedar of the Akal Takht during his recent visit to the UK. Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars provided a detailed background of the beadbi taking place at a handful of Gurdwara’s in the UK permitting the consumption of meat and alcohol on Gurdwara premises and also referred to suggestions that some Gurdwara committees may propose to try to get around the Sandesh by donating or selling at gross under-value Gurdwara owned property to third-parties for the purpose of continuing with parties on such premises. The Jathedar of the Akal Takht has taken serious note of this matter and has instructed the Satkaar Campaign to inform the secretariat of the Akal Takht of any such proposed course of action for intervention and resolution by the Akal Takht.

The Akal Takht Sahib meeting was attended by Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh Akal Takht Sahib Amritsar, Jathedar Giani Tirlochan Singh Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh Takht Damdama Sahib, Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh Takht Patna Sahib and Giani Mal Singh Granthi Darbar Sahib Amritsar.

Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars understand that besides discussing the matter of the 2006 Sandesh, the Singh Sahibaan’s also discussed a number of other instances of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in India and abroad including the recent cases of the deliberate desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Saroops in Udhampur-Nalla Ropar and Pilibhit Uttaranchal. The Singh Sahibaan’s resolved to instruct the SGPC to take up the matter with the Punjab and Central governments for tougher action against those guilty of such heinous acts including prosecuting offenders with homicide under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code taking into account that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has been accorded juristic status for particular purposes by the Supreme Court of India. The meeting also resolved to instruct the SGPC to hold meetings with committees of all Gurdwara’s, Sikh institutions and scholars to discuss the maintenance of the sanctity of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in all Gurdwara’s. In other developments the Singh Sahibaan’s sought details from Gurdwara committees in Malaysia about a case of one Sarban Singh who was reported to have prepared and sold in part the largest Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at 13 feet and 700 kg and summoned to appear before the Akal Takht in the next meeting another NRI Surinder Singh Dhesi who was reported to have prepared Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji containing a number of typographical errors.

Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars welcome the positive engagement of the Singh Sahibaan’s on matters of Satkaar for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and we are humbled with the words of support and encouragement for the Satkaar Campaign received from the Akal Takht. The Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars remain committed to raising awareness of the gross sacrilege that a small minority of Gurdwara committees in the UK are continuing to commit by permitting the consumption of meat and alcohol on Gurdwara owned or related premises and we humbly request all Gurdwara’s, Gurdwara Councils, Jathebandees and other Sikh organizations to work together to eradicate such practices from all Gurdwara’s throughout the country.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!