Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee Lodges Formal Complaint at Akal Takht Secretariat
In a significant development, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has officially filed a complaint at the Akal Takht secretariat regarding alleged controversial remarks made by its former president, Harvinder Singh Sarna. The complaint was submitted by a delegation led by DSGMC vice-president Atma Singh Lubana, who personally handed over the written grievance at the office of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh faith.
Delegation Strongly Objects to Sarna's Statements
The delegation, which included prominent leaders such as Sukhbir Singh Khalsa, Sukhwinder Singh Babbar, Harminder Singh Sweeta, Baljinder Singh, and Manjeet Singh Komal, expressed strong objections to Sarna's comments. Speaking to mediapersons after submitting the complaint, Lubana stated that the remarks made by Harvinder Singh Sarna following his meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had deeply wounded the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide.
Lubana further alleged that Sarna had referred to the Akal Takht merely as a building, a characterization the delegation deemed a severe insult to this revered institution. They emphasized that the Akal Takht was established by Guru Hargobind Sahib and holds the status of the supreme temporal authority for Sikhs, making such dismissive language an affront to Sikh history, maryada (the religious code of conduct), and core faith principles.
Historical and Religious Significance Underlined
The complaint highlights the profound historical and religious importance of the Akal Takht, underscoring that it is not just a physical structure but a symbol of Sikh sovereignty and spiritual guidance. The DSGMC leaders argued that reducing it to a mere building disrespects centuries of Sikh tradition and the sacrifices made to uphold its authority.
This move by the DSGMC reflects growing tensions within the community over statements perceived as undermining religious institutions, and it calls for appropriate action to address what they view as a serious breach of respect. The delegation's firm stance aims to preserve the sanctity of Sikh religious practices and ensure that public figures adhere to the community's values and reverence for its foundational pillars.
