West Midlands, UK (KP) – On Saturday 6th May 2006 the Sangat stopped Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Pavitar Saroop from being taken to a liquor shop. On Friday evening, 5th May 2006, reports were received from various sources that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Saroop was being arranged, by the local Gurdwara management committee, to be taken to an liquor shop (off-license) premises in order to recite the sacred Sukhmani Sahib (the ‘Psalm of Peace’) to seek blessings for the new ownership of the booze shop, which stores and sells alcohol and tobacco.
As the news of the potential blatant contempt of Sikh principles and sacrilege of Guru Ji’s Saroop spread across the UK, members of the Sangat began to arrive at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, West Bromwich Street, Walsall in large numbers during the early hours of Saturday morning in order to resolve the situation and prevent Guru Ji’s Pavitar Saroop from being taken to the liquor shop premises.
At first, a meeting took place between the concerned members of the Sikh Community and the gurdwara management committee of Guru Nanak Gurdwara (West Bromwich Street, Walsall) to try and arrange a solution. The gathered Sangat was informed that the Gurdwara President had ‘cancelled’ the program, and were assured that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Pavitar Saroop would not be taken to a place where alcohol and tobacco are stored and sold.
As the gathered Sangat was about to depart, the Gurdwara Sahib’s treasurer announced in sheer ignorance of the basic Sikh Rehit (code of conduct) that the Guru Sahib’s Pavitar Saroop would indeed be taken there, as the building was “separate from the liquor shop” which was therefore acceptable.
The property had actually been visited by members of the Sangat and it was found that the building was not actually separated to differentiate between where the intoxicants were stored and sold, and the area where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Prakash had been planned.
After further discussions with the family and the Gurdwara committee it was agreed that Guru Ji’s Saroop would not be disrespected, and that a local granthi Singh could recite Sukhmani Sahib from a Gutka Sahib (small sacred prayer book). This resolution would not have been possible without the pressure from members of the UK Sikh Sangat who peacefully protested outside the Gurdwara Sahib.
To thank Guru Sahib for preventing such a sacrilege, the large group of Sangat assembled together and recited five Benti Chaupai Sahibs and ended the successful peaceful Morcha (protest) upholding Gurmat with an Ardas (prayer of invocation).
Sangat members have expressed that Gurdwara management committees everywhere have been put on notice that they are responsible for where the Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj are taken and should they demonstrate weakness and lapse in their responsibility to maintain basic dignity and sanctity of Guru Sahib and uphold the principles of Gurmat (Sikh Principles) that the Sangat will undoubtedly intervene.
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Is it me or is this not right. Recently I attended a wedding in Sunderland, I was amazed the way things unfolded. After the wedding at the Gurdwara we attended the reception (next door in a old coverted church) which at the time I thought was acceptable as it saved a lot of time. But the thing that amazed me was the fact the meat and alcohol was readily available and in the same builing on the other side of a 'locked' door (like that makes a difference) langar was being served for sangat. Also the fact that there was a sign for the Sunderland Sikh Society on the wall I felt quite offended that people were happily consuming meat and drink with a big Khanda on the wall. Check that out!!