Now, jathedar asks for only Amritdhari Sikhs in SIT probing missing saroops

Amritsar: The officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, has asked the Punjab govt to ensure that only Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh police officers make up the special investigation team (SIT) that is probing the disappearance of 328 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib.Talking to media at the Akal Takht secretariat here on Monday, Giani Gargaj said in view of suggestions and demands received from the community in India and abroad, there were objections over the recent alleged violation of maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct) by a Punjab Police SIT member in Doaba. He said that keeping in view sentiments towards Guru Granth Sahib, it was essential for the SIT to be comprised of only Amritdhari Sikh officers.
He said due to the functioning of officers in the present SIT, doubts had arisen in the minds of the sangat and several apprehensions had emerged. "Therefore, it has become imperative that only Amritdhari Sikh officers—who possess complete understanding of Sikh Rehat Maryada and the reverence due to Guru Sahib—should carry forward the investigation," he said.He said recently, when the investigation team reached a religious place in Doaba, its members violated maryada by inspecting the saroops at the place of Sukhasan (resting place), which was against established maryada. "This deeply hurt Sikh sentiments," he said.To ensure that such an incident does not recur, these directions have been issued, the jathedar said.Jathedar slams Canada gurdwara manangementAkal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj also pulled up the management of Gurdwara Sahib Winnipeg South Sikh Centre in Canada, after getting complaints from the sangat there that the saroop of Guru Granth Sahib had been tampered with. He directed the office-bearers to personally appear before Akal Takht and submit their stand within 10 days, allow the sangat to visit the gurdwara respecting their sentiments, and immediately stop all activities being carried out contrary to Gurmat.‘Limit colours in Hola Mohalla festivities'The officiating jathedar informed that Hola Mohalla will be celebrated at Anandpur Sahib on March 4. He said over the past few years, complaints had been received stating that during Hola Mohalla, many people indiscriminately threw colours on one another and even on Sangat. He said this appeared to be an attempt to convert the unique festival of Hola Mohalla into Holi, which was unacceptable. Throwing colours on the sangat during Hola Mohalla is unjustified and against Sikh principles, and is therefore strictly banned. "The administration will also be taken into confidence in this regard, and any violation will invite strict action," he added . He clarified that when Nihang Singh jathas take out Mohalla (procession), they applied gulal on one another within a limited and defined area. He appealed to the entire Sikh sangat to celebrate Hola Mohalla strictly in accordance with the tradition bestowed by the Guru Sahib and to pay obeisance at Anandpur Sahib in large numbers.