Chandigarh: The Punjab Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has issued a circular containing terminology and definition of as many as 22 reverential words related to Guru Granth Sahib for use in investigations into sacrilege cases.These include “Rumala Sahib”, a set of decorated clothes to reverently drape Guru Granth Sahib; “Chaur Sahib”, a ceremonial whisk to fan Guru Granth Sahib in respect and reverence; “Birdh Awasthaa”, the old age of the holy scripture the Sikhs consider as living Guru; and “Palki Sahib” — the cot where Guru Granth Sahib is reverently seated. PBI director L K Yadav has sent the June 16 circular — a copy of which is with TOI — to police chiefs across commissionerates and districts with copies to other top brass. It mentions a set of “suggestive reverential terminology” for use of “clinical and objective language to describe sacrilege to avoid further inflaming public sentiments and ensure appropriate word is mentioned in case diaries or other documents generated during investigations while referring to Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or parts thereof.” The circular notes that it should be ensured that “no act of investigation results in further disrespect to the sacred material.” It mentions reverential terms to be used in English (exactly as these are pronounced in Punjabi), along with its meaning/definition in English language. The circular also says, “The respectful handling of saroops of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji requires that coordination should be established with concerned religious functionaries during investigation to ensure dignified treatment of Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or parts thereof.” It adds, “Proper religious protocols as mandated by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and maryada should be followed by police personnel and the scene of crime should be handled with utmost reverence and dignity and in a manner consistent with Sikh Rehat Maryada.” In April, the PBI issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) to standardise religious sacrilege investigations, mandating a dual-perimeter scene security and high-resolution documentation of evidence. The protocol, according to the SOP, emphasises respectful handling of sacred items in the presence of religious functionaries, while enforcing strict 60 to 90-day timelines for submitting charge-sheets and analysing digital footprints for premeditated conspiracies. According to anti-sacrilege law, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026 notified by the AAP-led Punjab govt on April 20, offences against Guru Granth Sahib carry a minimum of seven years of imprisonment, extending to 20 years, with a fine up to Rs 10 lakh from a minimum of Rs 2 lakh. Sacrilege involving criminal conspiracy and an intention to disrupt peace or communal harmony carries a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, with fines up to Rs 25 lakh from a minimum of Rs 5 lakh. While supporting stringent punishment for sacrilege, the SGPC and Akal Takht have objected to several provisions of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. Their concerns centre on the Act’s use of the term “custodian” for individuals or institutions responsible for saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, arguing that it could expose granthis, akhand pathis, gurdwara committees and devotees to criminal liability even in cases of accidental violations of maryada. The Sikh bodies have also raised objections to provisions relating to maintenance of records and tracking of saroops. REVERENTIAL TERMINOLOGY Beerh Sahib | Interchangeable with Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jild | The outer hard binding of Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Paavan Ang | Sacred pages of Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sainchi Sahib | Compilation of Gurbani Shabads used for study, recitation, or preservation. A Sainchi reflects reverence, preservation, and accessibility of the Guru’s word Gutkaa Sahib | A compact compilation which contains Nitnem Banis and some other Banis, to be read daily Nitnem | A compilation of seven core Banis — Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Savaiya, Chaupal Sahib, Aanand Sahib (morning), Rehraas Sahib (evening) and Kirtan Sohila (before bed) — to be read daily Birdh Awasthhaa | Old age, due to wear and tear Rumala Sahib | A set of decorated clothes to reverently drape, adorn Sri Guru Granth Sahib Peerhaa Sahib/Palki Sahib | The cot in which Sri Guru Granth Sahib is reverently seated Chandoaa Sahib | The ceremonial canopy that is hung on the ceiling above Sri Guru Granth Sahib Chaur Sahib | The ceremonial whisk that consists of artificial or yak hair mounted on a wooden or metallic handle Parkash Asthhan | The place where the Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially seated and involves opening the holy scripture to read a daily hymn called the hukamnama (or Vaak) Sukhhaasan Asthhan | The place where Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is placed for the night’s rest Tharhaa Sahib | The place on which Peerha Sahib or Palki Sahib is placed Gurdwara Sahib | The Sikh place of worship with Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the sanctum sanctorum Granthi Singh | Sikh priest Paathhi Singh | Sikh priest Sewak/Sewadar | Any individual who is performing reverential service and care of the Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Chaale Pauna/Pahunch Karna | Movement of Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Aanand Kaaraj | Sikh marriage ceremony involves the couple walking around Sri Guru Granth Sahib four times, accompanied by the recitation of the Laavan hymns composed by Guru Ram Das (No meaning or definition has been mentioned for “Paawan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib” and “Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib”)MSID:: 131991432 413 |
