Row puts SGPC in a tight spot

HUNDREDS OF SAROOPS WERE UNACCOUNTED FOR, AND WITH THE SGPC FAILING TO EXPLAIN, THESE WERE CONSIDERED MISSING

AMRITSAR : The reputation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, considered the Sikh Parliament, already battling a credibility crisis has been eroded further by the row over missing Guru Granth Sahib’s saroops (birs) from its publishing house. HT’S

Surjit Singh explains the row.

What is the row?

The row is about printing, publishing, care, sanctity, allotment and maintaining record of holy saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib, in the publishing house that the SGPC runs at Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib in Amritsar. Hundreds of saroops were unaccounted for, and with the SGPC failing to explain, these were considered missing. The inquiry under the Akal Takht has put the number of missing saroops at 328.

How did it come to light?

On May 19, 2016, a fire broke out at the SGPC publishing house. Avtar Singh Makkar, the then SGPC president, declared that 14 saroops were damaged, of which five were burnt. On June 26 this year, rights advocacy group, Punjab Human Rights Organisation, demanded a probe, claiming that “...SGPC hid the damage to save the then SAD-BJP government from public wrath, when the issue of Bargari sacrilege was simmering and assembly polls were close”.

Why did the Akal Takht step in?

Outraged Sikhs saw this as major sacrilege. Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet

Singh directed the SGPC to probe. Then, the Akal Takht got this episode inquired into by a panel that Telangana high court lawyer Ishar Singh led. This inquiry report proves misappropriation and on its basis, the Akal Takht ordered the SGPC to act against those indicted.

Why is the issue still alive?

The inquiry could not ascertain the whereabouts of the saroops. Even as the SGPC took action against 16 staffers held guilty, it is being alleged that bigwigs, including elected office-bearers, have been spared.

How has SGPC been impacted?

According to the Akal Takht’s 1998 edict, the SGPC is the sole body in the world, authorised to print the saroops, so that the process is done within ‘maryada’ and without errors. However, SGPC staffers printed and sold out saroops illegally, as per detail that the Akal Takht jathedar has shared from the inquiry report. The episode shows irregularities and misappropriation are rampant in the SGPC, lowering its reputation.