‘Sikhs are duty-bound to ensure decrees not violated’

Amritsar, Punjab: The Akal Takht made it clear that all Sikhs were duty bound to ensure that all ‘ hukamnamas’ (decrees or edicts), ‘ hukams’ (directives) and ‘ sandeshs’ (messages) were implemented and adhered to in letter and spirit and violations do not take place.

This clarification was issued after Amrik Singh Ajnala, a local panthic leader and member of a ‘ satkar committee’ met Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh here on Friday and complained that ‘ satkar committees’ did not receive suppor t from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Satkar committees, which have been formed on the directions of the Akal Takht, exist in a number of towns and villages of the state.

Their primary duty is to ensure that Sikh ‘ maryada’ (tradition) and rituals are not violated in gurdwaras and during religious gatherings or functions.

These committees ensure that due honour ( satkar) is given to the Guru Granth Sahib in shrines and at homes.

The committees also keep a vigil to ensure that the Akal Takht decree forbidding ‘ Anand Karaj’ (marriage as per Sikh rituals) in hotels or marriage palaces is not violated.

However, at times, the committees tend to overstep their jurisdiction and it has often led the Akal Takht to order them to exercise retraint.

The Jathedar, while reacting to the complaint against the SGPC, said, “It is the duty of every Sikh to ensure that Akal Takht directives and decrees are not violated. The SGPC too is duty bound to ensure that Sikh ‘ maryada’ is not violated.”

Pointing out that the SGPC was the representative of the religious body of the Sikhs, he said, “T his makes the SGPC all the more responsible to ensure that decrees and directives of the Akal Takht are not violated. It should also ensure that the ‘ sandesh’ (message) of the Akal Takht is carried forward to the Sikh community.”

Source: HT