Punjab Times Article about Indian Independence Party at Ramgarhia Community Centre, Coventry

Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry agrees to stop meat and alcohol parties in Gurdwara community centre

Press Release and Sangat Update – Coventry, UK

Sunday 22 July 2012

Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry agrees to stop meat and alcohol parties in Gurdwara community centre

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
 

Further to ourprevious Sangat Update on 6 July 2012, we are pleased to inform the UK Sangatthat with Guru Maharaaj’s kirpa the management committee of Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventryhave agreed to stop taking further bookings for meat and alcohol parties in the community centre which is owned by and is part of the complex of the Gurdwara.

The decision was taken at a general body meeting of the Gurdwara on Sunday 15 July 2012. This followed a meeting that took place between representatives of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara committee and various Gurdwara Parbandaks from the midlands region onSaturday 14 July 2012. The representatives from Ramgarhia Gurdwara included thePresident Ajit Singh Jootla, General Secretary Swaran Singh Panesar and committee member Surinder Singh Jandu.

The Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry committee representatives informed the Parbandaks that they had contemplated banning meat and alcohol parties for a considerable time but would now do so by way of submitting a motion at the general body meeting on 15 July 2012. The Gurdwara committee informed the Parbandaks that three more parties were scheduled to take place the last being on 18 August 2012 and that nofurther bookings with meat and alcohol would be taken after that date. It was confirmed that the Gurdwara sangat would be informed of this and that the community centre would in future be used as a multi-purpose centre including for Punjabi and Kirtan classes and that the possibility of using it for sport would also be looked into. The Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry committee representatives agreed for Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars to attend the Gurdwara at a future date and address the Gurdwara Sangat.

We congratulate the Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry committee for the welcome step it has taken and are thankful to the midlands Parbandaks for their active involvement on finding a resolution in this matter. We are appreciative of thefact the Parbandaks arranged their meeting with the Ramgarhia committee at shortnotice upon our request. We look up to the Parbandaks and wish to continue workinghand-in-hand with them to ensure that all UK Gurdwaras follow the 2006 Sandesh prohibiting meat and alcohol parties so that the authority of Akaal TakhatSahib is not undermined and maximum Satkaar for Sri Guru Granth Ji Maharaaj ismaintained. Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars remained committed to raising awareness on this issue and will work together with all Parbandaks and Jathebandees to remove the cancer of party halls on Gurdwara premises from Gurdwara’s throughout the country.

Finally, we would like to point out that we understand the three remaining parties at Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry community centre will permit meat and alcohol to be consumed. We invite the Gurdwara committee to liaise with the relevant families that have booked the parties to have them re-located to another venue not linked to the Gurdwara Sahib, so as to prevent the Beadbi that will otherwise occur.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

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Article from Punjab Times:

Urgent Sangat Update: Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry

6 July 2012

Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh!

Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars have been made aware of a possible protest this evening (Friday 6 July) outside the Ramgarhia Hall at Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry organised by the Sangat against a pre-booked party that we understand is taking place at the hall. Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry is one the remaining Gurdwaras which has a party hall permitting the consumption of meat and alcohol in contravention of the Akal Takhat Sandesh of 2006.

Whilst we are pleased that the local Sangat is taking the initiative on this matter, we make a humble request to the organisers or attendees of any such protest to hold back from carrying it out at this stage. We are making this request as a meeting has been arranged between the Ramgharia Gurdwara Coventry committee and other Gurdwara prabhandaks from the wider West Midlands region on 14 July to discuss the matter of the Akal Takhat Sandesh of 2006 and Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry. The Gurdwara prabhandaks have requested no steps be taken prior to 14 July to allow the meeting to take place in an amicable manner. The outcome of the meeting will be communicated to the Sangat.

The Gurdwara parbandaks have arranged the meeting with the committee of Ramgarhia Gurdwara Coventry at the request of Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars. We will provide the detailed background to the matter in an upcoming update. 

Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh!

Respect for Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Saroop residing in the homes of Sikhs

This discussion highlights the Maryada that must be maintained in the homes of Sikhs where the saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji resides.

The Satkaar Campaign has been in discussion with Sri Akal Takht Sahib to issue a protocol for the respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji saroop residing in homes, especially in relating to the lifestyle that must be maintained by those who wish to take on the great seva of Guruji's saroop. We will be updating the Sangat shortly.

Saka Tarn Taran Sahib, Amritsar 1921

A religious gathering was held at Akal Takht, Amritsar on 15th-16th November 1920. In this, a committee of 175 was formed which was named Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Commitee (SGPC). The aim of the SGPC was to manage Gurdwaras and uplift the religious moral and cultural level of the Sikhs. As such, the committee was taking the management of the Gurdwaras in their hands from the mahants who had been occupying them.

The committee of the Sikhs was in control of managment of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar since 13 October 1920. The managment of Gurdwara, Tarn Taran fell under Sri Darbar Sahib but the mahants (priests) had become self-willed being far away from Amritsar. They divided the income of the Gurdwara among themselves. Many of the mahants had become extreme alcoholics and drug addicts. They used to say openly, “Gurdwara is our shop. One may come if he wishes and anybody who does not like may not come.”

In the full congregation at Akal Takht on the 24th January, 1921, a lady said, “The priests of Gurdwara Tarn Taran threw my son into the pool after tieing a stone round his neck and teased and molested my daughter inside the Gurdwara.” Hearing this, the Committee decided to take the management of Gurdwara, Tarn Taran into their hands.

On 25 January, 1921, Bhai Teja Singh Bhuchar with a jatha of 40 Singhs reached Gurdwara Tarn Taran at 8 A.M after reciting Guru’s word for two hours in Gurdwara, the jatha told the priests the purpose of committee. A meeting took place between the Singhs of the jatha and the priests at 4 P.M, when another jatha led by Bhai Kartar Singh Virk (alias Jhabbar) also reached there. In this meeting Singhs placed five conditions before the priests. At 8.30 P.M. a priest came and informed the jatha, “All priests are ready to accept the conditions of committee. Let some prominent persons of the jatha come inside the Gurdwara and get their signatures on them.”

Bhai Sharan Singh and some other Singhs went inside Darbar Sahib. Bricks started raining on the Singhs sitting in the congregation from an adjoining house. Intoxicated priests attacked the Singhs who had gone inside with choppers and clubs. The Singhs remained calm. The priests put out the lamps inside the Gurdwara and put curtains on the doors so that the happenings inside may not be seen from outside. Out of the Singhs who had gone inside, seventeen were injured. On arrival of more jathas on 26 January, the priests handed over the management of the Gurdwara to the Prabhandak Committee.

 

Article from www.Gursikhijivan.blogspot.co.uk

Sikh Youth Show - New Aadesh From Sri Akal Takht Sahib Regarding Gurdwaras and Party Halls

Punjabi Media Articles on Aadesh from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib

Despardes article published on 24 February 2012:

Punjab Times article published on 23 February 2012:

Sri Akal Takhat Sahib issues further Aadesh regarding Gurdwara’s and party halls

Sangat Update and Press Release - 13 February 2012

Sri Akal Takhat Sahib issues further Aadesh regarding Gurdwara’s and party halls

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars are pleased to inform the UK Sikh Sangat that Sri Akal Takhat Sahib has issued a further Aadesh (edict) which re-confirms that no anti Gurmat activities such as parties with meat and alcohol are permitted on any Gurdwara owned or related property.

Gurmukhi version of Aadesh:

English translation of Aadesh:

 

The Aadesh also confirms that all Gurdwara properties including educational, cultural or other places which have been built or run with the Sangat’s dasvand or donations made to the Gurdwara belong to the Gurdwara and cannot be sold or donated to another person or entity for anti Gurmat purposes. 

The Aadesh further states that the constitution, administration and management of Gurdwara Sahib’s is subject to and must accord with Panthic accepted Rehit Maryada.

The Aadesh was issued to Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars and the Sikh Council UK by the Akal Takhat on 8 February 2012. Recognising the work of Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars and the Sikh Council UK, the Akal Takhat stated that it was pleased to note that Sikhs worldwide are seeking to promote the utmost respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaaj and confirmed that maintaining reverence for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Saroops and preventing beadbi from taking place is the primary duty of every Sikh.

The original version in Punjabi signed by Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh and its English translation is attached with this update and can be found on the Satkaar Campaign blog at http://www.satkaarcampaign.blogspot.com.

The Aadesh follows the unfortunate attempts by certain Gurdwara committees in the UK to justify the consumption of meat and alcohol in halls owned by those Gurdwaras by claiming the constitutions of those Gurdwaras permit such practices or by proposing to try to get around the issue by donating or selling at gross under-value those halls to third parties. Those Gurdwara committees believe that parties can continue to take place in their halls if they sell or donate them to some other organisation as they say the halls will have nothing further to do with the Gurdwara anymore as they will be owned by a separate organisation.

Even though the misuse of the Gurdwara’s Golak funds for such anti Gurmat actions would appear to any common Sikh to be clearly wrong, sadly certain Gurdwara committees are contemplating selling their halls to non Sikh organisations for gross undervalue or even gifting them away for free. What this would mean is that the Sangat's money that has been donated to the Gurdwara will in effect be used to permanently subsidise meat and alcohol parties at the expense of the Sangat.

Satkaar Campaign: Next Steps

Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars will be forwarding a copy of the Aadesh to Gurdwara’s across the country. The Aadesh is a binding directive on Gurmat Maryada from the Akal Takhat and all offending Gurdwara management committees need to take immediate steps to comply with its terms and stop the gross sacrilege of parties with meat and alcohol on Gurdwara premises. Further steps also need to be taken as necessary to amend Gurdwara constitutions to remove all offending passages within such governance documents which must clearly stipulate that anti-Gurmat practices are prohibited in all properties belonging or related to the Gurdwara. To any Gurdwara committee that is proposing to sell or donate their hall or centre to some other entity to continue parties our message is clear: you cannot do this. We shall have no option but to report non compliance with this Aadesh by Gurdwara committees to the Akal Takhat for further action. 

We humbly request all Gurdwara’s, Gurdwara Councils, Jathebandees and other Sikh organizations to work together on a local and national level as necessary to implement this Aadesh and eradicate gross anti Gurmat practices from our Gurdwara’s. As the Akal Takhat itself stipulates in the Aadesh, maintaining Satkaar for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaaj and preventing beadbi from taking place is the primary duty of every Sikh.

We are wholeheartedly thankful and welcome the support and encouragement from Sevadaars of Sikh Council UK in the matter of the Aadesh from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. As the leading umbrella Sikh organisation representing the UK Sikh Sangat nationally and internationally, the Satkaar Campaign looks up to the Sikh Council in this regard and we wish to continue working hand-in-hand with the SCUK to promote Satkaar for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj.

What's been happening with the Satkaar Campaign in the past few months?

A few months have passed since our last update but the Sangat can be rest assured that with its blessings, the Sevadaars have continued to work on raising awareness of Satkaar for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In the past few months two further Gurdwaras committees have stopped meat and alcohol being served on their Gurdwara premises. In these Gurdwaras, whilst the Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars were involved in liaising with and supporting the local Sangat, it was the local Sangat that took the lead and initiative to stop the abuse of Gurdwara property occurring. We are very pleased and encouraged that Sangat across the UK is now becoming aware of, and acting upon, their obligation to uphold Satkaar of Guru Sahib Ji's Saroops and Gurmat Maryada. Whilst we would like to disclose the location of these two Gurdwaras, local Sangat have requested us to refrain from doing so due to ongoing local sensitivities on this issue.

Altogether, with Guru Sahib Ji's blessings and the continued support of the Sangat, to date, seven Gurdwara’s have stopped meat, alcohol, tobacco, dancing and parties at halls owned by or linked to such Gurdwara’s over the last 16 months following the inception of the Satkaar Campaign. Also, we understand that three Gurdwara’s that were planning to fund new party halls with Guru Sahib Ji's Golak have refrained from doing so. Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars will continue working positively with all Sikh communities to PEACEFULLY eradicate the consumption of meat and alcohol from the now few remaining Gurdwara premises throughout the country.

Wider role for Satkaar Campaign?

The Satkaar Campaign is a UK Sangat-led movement whose initial focus has been to raise 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. The Satkaar Campaign Sevadaars remain committed to continue raising awareness on this issue and our aim is to put a permanent end to such beadbi taking place in our Gurdwara’s in the UK. However, the Sangat may be aware that Sevadaars have repeatedly been requested and/or felt morally obliged to intervene in others matters besides party halls relating to Satkaar of Guru Granth Sahib Ji where the Sevadaars have been recently active. We will be providing further information on these matters and proposed new initiatives in the coming weeks.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Respecting the Guru’s Word

To maintain respect of Gurbani (The Guru’s word) is the duty of every Sikh. We fail to do so, due to the lack of education. This short article highlights how to maintain respect of Gurbani in the form of Gutka Sahibs, Senchiaa or other Pothi Sahibs in our homes.

Key protocols on how to keep Gurbani at home with respect:

• A Gutka Sahib should be kept in the highest floor in a house, in a clean and comfortable environment.
• Ensure that where the Gutkeh Sahib is kept is cleaned regularly, and dust or dirt is not allowed to build up.
• Gutkeh Sahib should be always kept covered in a clean cloth or rumalla and these should be changed regularly.
• The Gutka Sahib should not be kept where there is a chance being disrespected, or where meat or intoxicants are consumed.
• You should not sit higher or on the same level as a Gutka sahib or somebody reading Gurbani, or put your feet in that direction.

Whilst Reading Gurbani, key points to keep in mind:

• Before, ensure that nobody will be sitting higher than the reader who will be holding the Gutka Sahib
• The area is clean, and is not where people consume meat or intoxicants.
• The reader should wash their hands, feet and face before touching the Gutka Sahib. Hands should be dried thoroughly.
• The reader should be wearing a “hazooriaa” a scarf, around there neck, to insure that if they need to touch anything, they should do so with the hazooria and not their hands which will touch the Gutka Sahib.
• Reading Gurbani correctly is also very important, therefore each person should make a effort to regularly to attend Gurbani Santhiya Classes and learn the correct pronunciation of the Guru Ji’s word.

It is inspiring to read the satkaar Gursikhs should have for Gurbani and we thank the individual Sikh wrote the above informative article.   

Satkaar vs Beadbi - The Wake Up Call