Sikh Legal Aid: Frame rules for sanctity of shrines

AMRITSAR: The Sikh Legal Aid (SLA) has recommended a ban on photography and use of mobile phones inside the gurdwaras, particularly in Golden Temple.Highlighting that gurdwaras are purely religious places, advocate Neena Singh – a member of the SLA – on Tuesday said rehat maryada (Sikh code of conduct) was followed in the gurdwaras to ensure discipline, sanctity and devotion, adding that these rules had spiritual significance.Neena Singh also urged Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to frame additional rules for maintaining the sanctity of the gurdwaras. “The jathedar should frame additional rules for security reasons and inform the visitors and the sangat through the official website and other publicity material that photography inside Golden Temple is banned, mobile phones must be switched off at all the entrance gates, people with painted faces and inappropriate dresses shall not be permitted inside the sacred Darbar Sahib,” she said, adding that these and many more additional rules must be implemented.The issue of framing additional rules had cropped up after the recent incident in which a girl with a painted face and wearing an inappropriate dress was stopped from going inside the Golden Temple by one of the sewadars. Neena Singh said the role of a jathedar and sewadars in a gurudwara was to ensure that the maryada was strictly followed by all the visitors. “Rules should not be relaxed for any visitor, including the dignitaries,” she said.