Distorting Sikh Maryada : 'Veer' Bhupinder Singh (left) and Surjit Singh 'Missionary' (right)
Rakabganj Sahib (KP)- Blacklisted pro-Kala Afghana missionaries, who first created doubts on the validity of Nitnem and Dassam Bani and have been endevoring to create a new version of a “protestant” Sikhi, have now resorted to the altering of the lavans performed during the Sikh marriage ceremony known as an Anand Karaj. Their actions have caused a major uproar in Delhi’s affluent Sikh community.
Tarsem Singh, a member of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s (DSGMC) Chairman of the Dharam Pachar unit, has resigned due to his involvement in the debacle.
According to Tarsem Singh, a marriage ceremony was performed on September 10 by group known as “Gurmat Parchar Jatha” at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib. The group included their leader Baldev Singh, Giani Surjit Sigh ‘Missionary’, the blacklisted “Veer” Bhupinder Singh who performed the Kirtan, and Granthi Jai Krishan Singh.
In the ceremony, instead of the groom leading the four lavans, the groom led two lawans, and the bride led the remaining two which is contrary to Sikh marriage customs.
Harmit Kaur and Inderjit Kaur of the group Sikh Vision Delhi, Sikh scholar Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba of Sant Sipahi Magazine and the Akali Dal have asked for strict action against those who have violated the sacred Anand Karaj Maryada.
DSGMC member Tarsem Singh has also requested that the marriage be declared null and void. According to press repots, DSGMC has dismissed Granthi Jai Krishan Singh from his duties with Delhi Gurdwaras, and initiated a ban of Baldev Singh, Surjit Singh Missionary and Bhupinder Singh from performing any type of religious seva in DSGMC managed Gurdwaras and institutions.
