Now, getting a Maharaj jee's Saroop needs recommendation

Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 24
To prevent any disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib, the process of issuance of “saroops” of Guru Granth Sahib to devotees has been changed. Now, the five Sikh high priests have directed the SGPC to issue “birs” to only those devotees, who have recommendation of any of the respective area SGPC member, area in charge of the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC or village sarpanch.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by the five Sikh high priests and their representatives.

However, those who deposit the old “birs” or “birdh saroops” will not be required to submit any such recommendation at the time of their replacement. The high priests have also directed ‘pathis’ or ‘kirtaniyas’ to not to hold path of Guru Granth Sahib or recite kirtan at any place of “jatheras” (places dedicated to forefathers).

Meanwhile, irked over “repeated defiance” of the Sikh clergy by former Akal Takht Jathedar Prof Darshan Singh even after his ex-communication, the five high priests have decided to procure lists of those Sikhs who had organised functions for the former Akal Takht jathedar after his expulsion. “We will discuss the matter only after we get lists,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh.

The high priests also empowered SGPC chief Avtar Singh and Sant Samaj chief Baba Harnam Singh to investigate the issue and take legal action against a newspaper, which had published some “blasphemous” article in respect of Gurbani.

They also sought a clarification regarding the alleged misuse of Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara hall in New Delhi-based Gurdwara Rakabganj on the basis of a complaint.

THIS IS SUPER GREAT NEWS!

Ive been wondering for along time when the panth would take the initiative to take such steps in order to make sure Guru Sahib is respected. I think whats next is Sri Akal Takht needed to organize a Sevadar Team that monitor how existing and future saroops will be taken care of. Everybody with a saroop should register with Sri Akal Takht, and if anybody finds out there is a saroop that is not registered they should be reported to Sri Akal Takht. Then they should hire sevadaars in reach region to supervise the places where GUru Jis saroop is. The granthis staying at the Gurdwaras and other Gursikhs should be responsible for covering the areas in which they are located and any misconduct should be dealt with Sri Akal Takht, and then eventually all Gurdwaras should only have lareedar saroop. This will make sure only dedicated Gursikhs are granthis, and people are not just having a akahnd path for the wrong reasons and Gurdwaras and not performing Akahnd Paaths just to make money.

Guru Piyario,

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Sorry to say there is nothing special about this recommendation. This is just another political stunt. This recommendation guidelines were already there the thing was they were never been practiced and do not expect this time too. After few days people will forget what these guidelines were. These politicians have nothing left for the sake of Sikhi ਢਾਬੇ ਦੀ ਪੁਰਾਣੀ ਦਾਲ ਵਾਗੂੰ ਬਸ ਰੋਜ਼ ਨਵਾਂ ਤੁੜਕਾ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਵੇਚੀ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਨੇ ਤੇ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਕਹੀ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਬਈ ਬੜੀ ਸਵਾਦ ਦਾਲ ਬਣੀ ਹੈ ਅੱਜ। ਇਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕਾ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਪਤਾ ਕਿ ਸ਼ਰਧਾਵਾਨ ਤੇ ਭੋਲੇ ਭਾਲੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਹੇਗੇ ਨੇ ਵਥੇਰੇ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਡੀਆ ਲੂੰਬੜ ਚਾਲਾਂ ਤੇ ਯਕੀਨ ਕਰ ਹੀ ਲੈਣਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਤੇ ਸਾਡੀਆ ਕੁਰਸੀਆ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਤੇ ਪੱਕੀਆ ਹਨ। ਹਾਂ ਜੋ ਇਕ ਹੈਰਾਨੀ ਵਾਲੀ ਗੱਲ ਦਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਕਿ ਜਥੇਦਾਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਹੁਣ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਰ ਐਸ ਐਸ ਏਜੰਟਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਰਲ ਕੇ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀ ਕਿਹਦੇ ਸਤਿਕਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਛਾਣਬੀਣ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ empowered ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ?

ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਥ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਬਚਾ ਲੈਣ।

With Regards,
Daas,
Jasjit Singh

i worry that this could become an opportunity for SGPC members to accept bribes for maharaj ji's saroop, which is a HUGE kurehet.

on the other side, it might help local sangat to interact with their SGPC representatives, meaning they might take more of an interest in the voting process.

we'll see how it goes.

In principle, it is definitely a good move but as Bhai Jasjit Singh pointed out, they will probably not implement it or as Bhain 1Kaur has written, they might even start accepting bribes for giving recommendations. Let's hope something good comes out of this.

Kulbir Singh