Outrage among Sikhs over printing of ‘saroops’ in Canada
AMRITSAR : The printing holy ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib in Canada’s Surrey in defiance of Akal Takht’s edict has angered the Sikhs and many gurdwara committees are on same page to take action against those responsible for the act as they apprehend that alteration could be made in the ‘saroops’ if such practice is allowed.
The ‘saroops’ have been printed by the Satnam Parchar Religious Society, which is represented by Ripudaman Singh Malik who runs Khalsa schools in Canada. Malik was acquitted in 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing by a Canadian court in 2005. So far, around 15 ‘saroops’ have been printed, according to reports. Malik visited India in December last year after the gap of 25 years after India scrapped the blacklist partially.
This was done despite the edict issued by Akal Takht during the tenure of Bhai Ranjit Singh in 1998, directing that the rights of printing of ‘saroops’ are reserved with the SGPC and if any other institution wants to do so, it will have seek permission of the apex gurdwara body.
“The act has hurt sentiments of the Sikhs. This has caused outrage among the Sikhs, especially those living in Canada. The representatives of the society assured us earlier that they would not print the saroops, but they have cheated us by not keeping on their word,” said Moninder Singh, spokesperson of the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, coordination panel of different gurdwara committees, in a notice sent to Malik and his aide Balwant Singh Pandher.
The notice states: “The council has resolved at a meeting held at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib that all the holy saroops printed by you and related printing items must be brought to this gurdwara with due respect and maryada by 4pm on Saturday. If you cannot render this service, tell us we will do so.”
Commenting on the issue, SGPC general secretary Harjinder Singh Dhami said: “We have come to know the version of the representatives of the society, who say that they had permission of the SGPC. The SGPC has not permitted anyone in Canada to print the holy saroops of Guru Granth Sahib. The claims of the printer are false.”
Another section of the Canadian Sikhs opposed the move apprehending if others are permitted to print the saroops, alteration could be made in it. “The Sikhs are facing scores of controversies related to scriptures and if more persons are permitted to print the saroops, the situation would be further deteriorated. So, the right of printing saroops should be with the SGPC,” said Malkeet Singh Dhami, president Khalsa Diwan Society, in a letter sent to the SGPC president.