Amritsar: The decision by the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to retain exclusive authority over the printing of ‘Birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib has sparked concern among Sikh religious leaders in Europe, who have expressed strong reservations.The sheer logistical challenges involved in procuring and transporting the holy Saroops make it necessary to explore alternative arrangements, they said.“Sikh organisations in Europe have the resources and capability to establish appropriate facilities for the printing of Birs in accordance with Rehat Maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct),” said Jhujhar Singh from Germany after a virtual meeting of Sikh religious leaders from various European countries.Referring to the recent controversy over alleged Maryada violations during the transportation of Birs to Canada, Jhujhar Singh said the primary concern was the logistics and transportation of the holy Saroops. “We also question the Akal Takht’s decision. Why can’t Sikhs living abroad print the Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib themselves?” he asked.Surinder Singh Parmar from Austria said it was “strange” that Panj Pyaras outside India were permitted to conduct the Amrit Sanchar ceremony independently. However, Sikh bodies abroad were not allowed to print Birs of the Guru Granth Sahib.“The decision appears to be driven more by political considerations than by genuine concerns over Maryada, since the SGPC has a majority of members affiliated with the Shiromani Akali Dal, which plays a major role in its decisions,” he alleged.Parmar suggested that if the SGPC wanted to retain responsibility for printing and transporting the Birs, it should arrange transportation on a dedicated or leased aircraft, equipped with a Palki Sahib and other facilities mandated under the Maryada. “But that alone does not justify giving the Sikh body the sole authority to print and transport the holy book, particularly when the Sikh population has grown substantially in countries such as Canada, Italy, the UK and the US,” he argued.The officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, recently stated that no person or organisation other than the SGPC had the authority to publish or print sacred Birs. The statement triggered a strong reaction among sections of the Sikh community abroad.Amarjit Singh Nijjar from Warsaw, Poland, said that instead of insisting on exclusive authority over printing Birs, the Akal Takht and the SGPC should “show magnanimity” on the issue and cooperate with Sikh bodies around the world.Jhujhar Singh said that nearly a dozen Sikh religious representatives from different countries participated in the virtual meeting. They have appealed to Giani Gargaj to reconsider the decision in view of the practical difficulties faced by Sikh communities abroad.They also cautioned that enforcing the decision without addressing these concerns could lead to resentment among a sizeable section of the Sikh community in Europe, Jhujhar said, adding that they would write to the Akal Takht secretariat and the SGPC.
