AMRITSAR: Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, today extended greetings to the entire Sikh community on the auspicious occasion of the First Parkash Purab (enshrinement day) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. On this occasion, he also issued a special appeal addressed to the Sikh Sangat residing overseas and to the Gurdwara management committees abroad.
In the official message released from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Gargajj recalled the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev.
He said that when Sri Guru Nanak Dev visited the Siddhas, they were deeply influenced by him and asked about his Guru. Sri Guru Nanak Dev replied that the Shabad (holy verses) is our Guru, and one must connect one’s consciousness with it. Guru Sahib himself, in his own Bani, spoke about the principle of the Shabad being the Guru.
Jathedar Gargajj emphasized that human life has been given to us so that we may connect with the Guru’s Shabad and thus make our lives meaningful. He recalled that Sri Guru Arjan Dev had the first sacred compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib prepared by Bhai Gurdas Ji at Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib, Amritsar, and in 1604 CE the first Parkash (enshrinement) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was done at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib. By having Baba Buddha Ji perform this sacred service, Sri Guru Arjan Dev eternally bound the Sikh community with Gurbani.
Extending greetings on this sacred day, he urged the Sikh Sangat to show utmost reverence for Sri Guru Granth Sahib and to lead lives in accordance with Gurbani, as the Gurus themselves have done this and taught.
On this occasion, Jathedar Gargajj made a special appeal to the global Sikh community, reminding them that according to Gurbani, the entire world is one, and Sikhs, seeing the Divine Light in every being, must not engage in hatred, discrimination, or animosity. However, he expressed concern that, in recent times, particularly from abroad, numerous complaints and matters have reached Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding Gurdwara managements banning certain individuals from entering Gurdwaras and even seeking intervention through local police administrations.
He appealed to all Sikh Sangat and Gurdwara management committees abroad to follow the principles of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. If an individual comes to the Guru’s house (Gurdwara) in accordance with Maryada (code of conduct), they cannot be stopped according to the Guru’s teachings. In this regard, he reminded that the Five Singh Sahiban of Sri Akal Takht Sahib had already issued a Hukamnama (edict) declaring that no person can be barred from entering a Gurdwara.
He strongly urged that those individuals or Gurdwara committees who still impose bans due to personal grudges or other reasons must stop such actions. Any disputes or ideological differences should be resolved amicably and with goodwill. While legal processes may exist separately, within Sikhi, it is against both principles and tradition to prohibit anyone who comes with devotion from entering the Gurdwara.
Addressing Gurdwara committees abroad, Jathedar Gargajj appealed that wherever such bans have been imposed, they must be revoked immediately in the light of Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s directives. Every Sikh must be allowed to pay obeisance at Gurdwara and to listen to and recite Gurbani. To deny entry based on personal motives or disputes amounts to violation of the Guru’s principles and disobedience of the edicts of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and such actions must not be committed.
Concluding, the Jathedar said that as sons and daughters of the Akal Purakh (True One Being), we must live with love, harmony, and in accordance with Gurbani.