AMRITSAR: Amid the controversy surrounding the transportation of over 200 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Canada in a container, allegedly by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Sikh Sangat of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland has submitted suggestions to the Akal Takht Secretariat seeking measures to prevent such disputes in the future.The controversy over the transportation of sacred saroops abroad has also drawn the attention of Sikh scholars and thinkers, who have urged the SGPC and Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, to ensure strict adherence to Sikh maryada (the Sikh code of religious conduct) while transporting the Guru Granth Sahib.After receiving the memorandum, SGPC Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan claimed that no disrespect was caused to the sacred saroops and that none of them suffered any damage. He said the saroops reached Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Surrey, Canada, safely and that the SGPC had received several letters of appreciation from members of the Sikh community there.He further stated that the saroops were transported in a newly designed, specially built palki-style bus, where they were respectfully installed in Sukhasan in accordance with Sikh traditions, rules and maryada. Upon their arrival in Canada, the sacred saroops were received with full reverence in the presence of the Panj Piaras and were respectfully installed at the concerned gurdwara.Panthic thinker Jagdeep Singh said that if allegations regarding violations of maryada by the SGPC were found to be true, they would deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. However, since the SGPC has denied the allegations levelled against it, an impartial inquiry was necessary to establish the facts.“We should remember that it is not merely the Granth but the Guru Granth Sahib, so respect and reverence must remain paramount. There should be a uniform system for the transportation of the sacred saroops,” said Jagdeep.Recently, Sikh organisation Awaaz-e-Kaum submitted a memorandum to the Akal Takht Secretariat demanding an impartial investigation into the alleged transportation of saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Surrey, British Columbia, through cargo containers. The organisation also sought strict religious and legal action against those found responsible.Former spokesperson of Damdami Taksal, Sarchand Singh, said such a controversy should not have arisen in the first place. “Since the issue has emerged, Sikh institutions and Akal Takht must adopt a strict approach to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” he said, adding that according to reports, the saroops allegedly remained inside containers at a Canadian port for more than a month, resulting in moisture-related concerns and resentment among the Sikh sangat.The SGPC has maintained that the saroops were sent only after a request from the local Sikh sangat and in accordance with the guidelines issued by Akal Takht in 2009 and resolutions passed by the SGPC Executive Committee. It has repeatedly asserted that no disrespect or negligence occurred during the entire process.
