Jalandhar: Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee’s complicity with the Karsewa has invited wrath from the Sikh sangat after Karsewa activists caused massive damage to historic Darshani Deori of Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran Sahib.
Sikh organisations have demanded investigations into the role of SGPC’s general secretary Gurbachan Singh Karmuawala into the recent demolition of the ‘Darshani Deori’ of Tarn Taran Sahib which was got built by Kanwar Naunihal Singh during the era of Sikh Raaj.
Various Sikh groups that come under the banner of the ‘Alliance of Sikh Organisations’ called a press conference on Monday (April 1) to condemn the demolition that was carried out on intervening night of March 30 and 31. The alliance has called for criminal action against Baba Jagtar Singh, head of Karsewa’s Tarn Taran faction that led the demolition.
Baba Jagtar Singh Karsewa, SGPC General Secretary Gurbachan Singh Karmuawala and others had attempted to begin demolition of Darshani Deori of Tarn Taran Sahib in September 2018 [File Photo]
Sukhdev Singh Phagwara, a member of a group called ‘Sikhs for Equality’ said: “We have photo evidence from September 2018 (that shows) the ‘deori’ needed only minor repairs”.
He accused Baba Jagtar Singh of having made a similar attempt in September 2018. “This incident reminds us of 1984, when several other Sikh structures were similarly damaged right under the watch of the SGPC”, he added.
Sukhdev Singh Phagwara and others addressing media persons in Jalandhar
The group said they were “apprehensive” of the SGPC’s intentions to initiate legal action against Baba Jagtar Singh. He said that their group has lodged a police complaint over the incident.
The alliance also demanded a committee to draw up a list of Sikh heritage structures similarly damaged.
“Many Karsewaks have been employed across Sikh structures. It has turned into a business to damage heritage. A joint committee comprising historians and experts should be formed to survey all Sikh heritage buildings already damaged or under threat. The committee should draw up a list (of monuments) to prevent any further damage to Sikh heritage. Any present repairs should take place only under experts”, said Sukhdev Singh.