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Sikh conclave gets tough on
Mastuana replica of Golden Temple
WSN
Bureau
 It
doesn't take much for a strong controversy, clashing egos and
irreconciliable positions to develop when it comes to matters which
have a strong emotional aspect. The row over a near look-alike of
Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar coming up in Sangrur is hurtling down the
road of bitter differences and possible clashes with a
representative Sikh conclave issuing loud and shrill directive to
drastically change the design of the gurdwara at Mastuana, demolish
the four domes around it and fill up the sarowar.
In a quick
reaction, the disciples of the Mastuana gurdwara seem to be digging
in their heels and preparing to resist while those at the helm of
the Mastuana affairs made politically correct noises.
The conclave on
Saturday at the Teja Singh Samundari Hall was convened at the behest
of Jathedar Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, who also decided to
summon Baba Baldev Singh Sahera, Dera head, Sachkhand, Mastuana, and
all those responsible for replicating the Golden Temple.
He directed to
change the name of the gurdwara from Sachkhand Mastuana to Gurdwara
Singh Sabha, Mastuana. The Jathedar also directed the SGPC to ensure
that a Har ki Pauri style construction, built on the pattern of the
Golden Temple, be demolished. He ordered probe to identify forces
behind the Golden Temple lookalike.
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Tension at
Mastuana Sahib
Stances seemed to be fast hardening. At the underconstruction
Gurdwara Sachkhand Angitha Sahib in Mastuana, devotees appeared
prepared to challenge the orders to make changes and many,
including women, armed with sticks stood guard at the structure,
saying they would not allow anyone to dismantle it. They said
status quo had been maintained following an edict of the Akal
Takht around 15 years back and they were forced to restore kar
sewa when the brick structure and the holy tank turned into a
pathetic condition. Some said the SGPC and other radicals were
tolerating Dera Salabatpur of Dera Sacha Sauda but wanted to
demolish their gurdwara. |
But what was
more significant was that the final decision, despite all its
harshness, seemed a much mellower version of what many Sikh bodies
wanted. Rajinder Singh Khalsa, convener, Khalsa Panchayat, Bhag
Singh Ankhi, secretary, Chief Khalsa Dewan, Bhai Mohkam Singh,
spokesman, Damdami Taksal, Kanwarpal Singh, leader, Dal Khalsa, and
Dr HS Dalgir, former Director, Research, SGPC, wanted that the
entire structure of Mastuana's Sikh shrine be pulled down.
Many drew
parallels with the pulling down of the Akal Takht in 1986 that was
constructed without the Panth's approval.
SGPC president
Avtar Singh said Sikhs would not tolerate raising of the replica of
the Golden Temple and management of the Mastuana gurdwara had
conveyed to Akal Takht that they were ready to change the design of
the Sikh shrine there. He said the Mastuana management had failed to
fulfil commitment made to Akal Takht and the SGPC in 1996 that the
architecture of the Sikh shrine at Mastuana would be changed.
24
June 2009
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