Sikh high priests ban sale of gurdwara land in Nepal

Amritsar, Punjab: The five Sikh high priests have imposed a ban on the sale of Gurdwara Singh Sabha land in Kathmandu and directed the seller to return the amount he got in the sale. These directives were issued during a meeting held today at Akal Takht. The high priests are Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh, Giani Jagtar Singh, Head Granthi of Golden Temple, and Giani Gurmukh Singh, Head Granthi of Akal Takht.

Meanwhile, the amendments in the Nanakshahi calendar have been deferred for the next meeting.

The matter pertaining to the sale of Nepal Gurdwara Singh Sabha was brought to light by three Sikhs – Pritpal Singh, Kulwant Singh and Dalbir Singh, all hailing from Nepal.

Pritpal Singh had complained that against religious ethics, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, located in Butwal, Kathmandu, had been sold by Pritam Singh, who owned the land on which the gurdwara was erected.

Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said considering the fact that the gurdwara was around 45-years-old, the land owner had been directed to withdraw the deal. He said the sale of the gurdwara land would hurt religious sentiments.

There are four places of Sikh religious significance in Nepal. These are connected with the life of Guru Nanak Dev and his son Sri Chand. Nepal is set to become the next religious tourism centre for Sikhs as many Sikh pilgrims from Punjab had for the first time participated in the Parkash Utsav celebrations held to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev.

Religious significance

• There are four places of Sikh religious significance in Nepal
• These are connected with the life of Guru Nanak Dev and his son Sri Chand

Source: The Tribune