Inauguration of Bunga Majhabi Sikha put off

Amritsar, Punjab: A ‘bunga’ associated with Baba Jiwan Singh Ranghreta could not be inaugurated at the Golden Temple Complex here due to the ongoing tussle between rival factions of Ranghreta community.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike had also reached here for the inauguration ceremony, but it had to be put off at the last minute due to orders by a local court. However, the ‘Bhog’ ceremony of the Akhand Path organised to mark the occasion did take place. Various organisations associated with Baba Jiwan Singh Ranghreta Dal had been demanding for the past sometime that a ‘bunga’ named after Baba Jiwan Singh Ranghreta should be constructed along side the ‘Parikarma’ at the Golden Temple. They contended that the ‘bunga’ existed there earlier as per the history. In view of their demand, the SGPC had constructed a symbolic structure where an Akhand Path was organised on Friday. SGPC’s junior vice-president Kewal Singh Badal and other SGPC officials too had reached the city to participate in the event today. Though the stage was set for its inauguration, an organisation associated with Ranghreta community raised an objection over the name and upkeep of ‘bunga’ and took the matter to the court which granted a stay on its inauguration.

Talking to the Amritsar Tribune, Sarab Sanjha Ranghreta Dal leader Bibi Kartar Kaur said the SGPC should intervene to resolve the matter and constitute a committee comprising representatives of all the organisations to look after the maintenance of ‘bunga’. She said the formation of a joint committee will put an end to the tug of war. On the other hand, the SGPC officials said they have fulfilled the demand of Ranghreta community by constructing the ‘bunga’ and it is now for them to sort out their differences.

Meanwhile, a demand has also been raised to rename the ‘bunga’. At present the SGPC has named it “Bunga Majhabi Sikha”. However, Sikh leaders say it is against the Sikh tenets which don’t differentiate with anyone on caste lines and therefore it should be named after Baba Jiwan Singh.

Source: HT