SURREY, BC (KP) – The British Columbia Gurdwara Council, Ontario Gurdwara Committee, and Quebec Sikh Council issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns regarding the shipment of 225 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by a commercial container ship to Canada.
The sacred saroops were placed in a dilapidated bus by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which was subsequently loaded onto a commercial container ship for transport from India to Canada—a voyage that typically takes 30 to 60 days. After completing the transoceanic journey, the aging and weathered bus was unloaded and towed to Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Surrey.
As the bus carrying the 225 sacred Saroops arrived at the Gurdwara, members of the Sangat noticed moisture and condensation accumulating on and around the vehicle once it was unhooked from the tow truck.
Sikh organizations emphasized that Sikh Maryada requires Guru Sahib’s saroops to be transported with the highest respect, care, and dignity, and transporting them on a container ship for nearly two months has caused widespread concern among the Sikh Sangat regarding the lack of respect, sanctity, and proper respect of the sacred saroops during the unaccompanied long voyage – void of any sevadars.
Potential Risks to Saroops in Sea Voyage
Transporting the saroops in this manner exposes them to a number of potential risks, including the possibility of cargo containers being lost overboard during severe weather or rough seas. There is also the concern that prolonged exposure to fluctuating temperatures, humidity, condensation, and other environmental conditions inside a non-airtight vehicle could potentially affect the paper, ink, and binding of the saroops.
In addition, because the shipment would not remain under the continuous supervision of SGPC officials or Sikh sevadars throughout the voyage, there would be no practical means of ensuring that Sikh Maryada is observed at all times, including preventing unauthorized access, smoking, the wearing of shoes inside the vehicle, or any other form of physical disrespect or intentional mistreatment.
Akal Takht Management Silent on Previous Concerns
The Canadian Sikh organizations also noted that previous concerns relating to similar incidents in 2014 and 2019 remain unresolved, despite the matter having been brought before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on multiple occasions. This has contributed to a lack of confidence in the timely resolution of such matters.
A directive issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on April 24, 2014, prohibits the transportation of the sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji via commercial container shipping until Panthic organizations, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Sri Akal Takht Sahib reach a consensus on appropriate guidelines and procedures.
The organizations urged Sri Akal Takht Sahib to consult representatives of Canadian Gurdwaras before issuing any decision and called for an independent and transparent inspection of all 225 saroops. Among the resolutions adopted are requests that the saroops be transferred to the supervision of the BC Gurdwara Council or another appropriate Panthic Gurdwara, that responsibility be determined if any damage is found, and that prompt action be taken to prevent further tensions within the Sikh community while upholding the highest standards of Sikh Maryada.
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