“Mask-wearing cannot be enforced inside sanctum sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib,” SGPC’s bizarre diktat

The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee or SGPC is a mini parliament of the Sikh group and has courted social media controversy recently. This, after its official Twitter deal with made it unequivocally clear that the physique, accountable for the upkeep and maintenance of Sri Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar is not going to implement obligatory mask-wearing contained in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. Interestingly, the SGPC has not provided a rational rationalization, or one even rooted in custom, as to why it’s unwilling to implement obligatory mask-wearing contained in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib. In a tweet, the physique mentioned, “SGPC has time and again appealed to devotees visiting Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar to follow Covid19 safety norms of health department. Mask wearing cannot be enforced inside sanctum sanctorum of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib.” This was in reply to a tweet by BJP’s RP Singh Khalsa, who had urged the SGPC to make sure that all devotees be compulsorily made to put on masks. #SGPC has again and again appealed to devotees visiting Sri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar to observe Covid19 security norms of well being division. Mask sporting can’t be enforced inside sanctum sanctorum of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib. @rpsinghkhalsa cease inflicting panic amongst individuals. https://t.co/1ha0orUqQO pic.twitter.com/Q3rj1PVJas— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) (@SGPCAmritsar) May 12, 2021A month in the past, SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, after a gathering with officers of the Amritsar administration had mentioned that the SGPC had issued an attraction to devotees visiting the Golden Temple to observe Covid acceptable behaviour by sporting masks and sustaining social distancing. However, she made it clear that it’s going to restrict its efforts to “motivating people” and won’t drive anybody to put on masks contained in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. When requested by one Mandeep Singh Bajwa on Twitter as to why mask-wearing can’t be enforced contained in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the official deal with of the SGPC replied by saying, “Sir, we have replied you in the DM. Hope you understand the sentiments and keep faith in Gurughar.” When requested by one other person as to why the SGPC was not shedding gentle relating to its stand on masks publicly, the SGPC deal with replied by saying, “Mask wearing cannot be enforced to due Sikh faith and maryada related reasons as these at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib cannot be altered, distorted or desecrated at any cost. Public that visits have faith in Guru’s house.”Sir, we’ve replied you within the DM. Hope you perceive the feelings and preserve religion in Gurughar.— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) (@SGPCAmritsar) May 14, 2021Respected Aarish Ji, we respect your viewpoint. Mask sporting can’t be enforced to due Sikh religion and maryada associated causes as these at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib can’t be altered, distorted or desecrated at any value. Public that go to think about Guru’s home.— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) (@SGPCAmritsar) May 14, 2021A Twitter person additionally mentioned that the SGPC was citing a ‘sakhi’ or historic story of the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amardas as a way to by some means add weight to its argument that mask-wearing can’t be enforced contained in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The precedent set by Guru Amardas was, the truth is, in opposition to veils and ‘purdahs’ which have been worn by ladies earlier than Gurus and religious masters. To add to it, Guru Nanak – founding father of the Sikh religion had additionally instructed devotees to method him with out a veil or purdah. These have been strikes aimed toward empowering ladies, and may actually not be equalised with a public well being disaster that the nation faces proper now. The SGPC should make sure that it removes dogmatism and prioritises public well being at a time when the nation faces an unprecedented well being disaster. Not mandating masks sporting for devotees whereas citing ‘maryada’ or traditions doesn’t auger nicely for the Sikh establishment.