Amritsar, Punjab (March 26, 2013): As per media reports Akal Takhat Sahib has taken a serious note of the role of the management committee of a Gurdwara located in the US city of Rochester in getting a ban imposed by a judicial court on wearing of ‘kirpan’ in the premises of the Gurudwara Sahib.
As per information Jathedars of Five Sikh Takhats held a meeting on Monday (March 25, 2013) at Akal Takhat Sahib in Amritsar. It is further learnt that five Singh Sahibs have issued an order directing Santokh Singh Badesha, president of the management committee of the Rochester-based Sikh Gurdwara, to appear before the Akal Takhat in person within a month.
“Announcing the decision before the media, Giani Gurbachan Singh said that in case Santokh Singh Badesha fails to appear in the stipulated time frame to explain his role and that of the management committee in this court order, the Akal Takht will have no other option but to proceed against him ‘as per Sikh traditions’,” YesPunjab.Com has reported.
“This implies that if Badesha fails to appear, he could be excommunicated from the Sikh community” the report reads further.
According to certain media reports a court in Rochester had issued a ban on the wearing and carrying of ‘kirpans’ by devotees inside the Gurdwara Sahib. The order was issued after some persons approached the court to plead that carrying of ‘kirpans’ inside the shrine could lead to a law and order problem.
It is notable that the ‘kirpan’ is one of the five K’s (articles of faith) and is an integral part of the Sikh religion. An Amritdhari Sikhs must wear it at all times.
Giani Gurbachan Singh reportedly told media persons that Santokh Singh Badesha had been directed to bring with him the orders of the court as well as all other records pertaining to the case. He has also been asked to bring the statements and affidavits that may have been submitted in the court by him or any other person in the management committee of the Gurudwara Sahib.