Sikh priests hold protest at Golden Temple complex, demand pay hike
AMRITSAR: More than a 100 ‘paathis’ (Sikh priests) who perform “akhand path” at the Golden Temple, staged a protest against the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday seeking hike in their salaries.
The “paathis” gathered near the Akal Takht and raised slogans against the SGPC alleging that the management had been ignoring their demands. As a result no “akhand path” (continuous recitation of sacred religious texts of Sikhism) was held.
The agitating “paathis” sat in the Golden Temple “parikrama” and demanded that offering given to them for each “path” should be raised from ₹600 to ₹1,000. They also demanded medical and educational facilities equivalent to that given to SGPC permanent employees. The protesters sought interest against the ₹7,500 security deposit with the SGPC.
Talking to HT, SGPC executive member Ram Singh said: “SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar had asked me to hold talks with the paathis and the offering to them per path has been increased to ₹800 from ₹600. Medical insurance will also be given. However, it’s not possible to give facilities as enjoyed by permanent employees.”
“They should have approached the SGPC instead of holding a protest,” he added.
The “paathis” later expressed satisfaction over the increase in the offering and decided to resume work. An “akand path” by former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife Union minister Harsimrat Badal was conducted by a “granthi” instead of a “paathi”.
“The protest on the premises the Golden Temple is unfortunate,” said Harsimrat.