A Group of Hazuri Ragis (designated hymn singers) of the Golden Temple has appealed to the Akal Takht acting jathedar to protect their honour as they were being humiliated by the Darbar Sahib head granthi (Priest) while performing kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum.
Onkar Singh :Hazuri Ragi
The president of Shiromani Ragi Sabha, Sri Darbar Sahib, Onkar Singh alleged that there have been several instances when head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh had humiliated them by stopping the recital of a particular shabad (hymn) and begin another one.“It is against the prevalent tradition and maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct) of kirtan. And it has been happening during the live relay of kirtan on TV, which can be verified from the records,” he said.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Office also checks their beards and turban frequently, to ascertain maryada and ensure that the hair is not dyed or shorn, he said.
“It’s okay with us as we understand that, but in many cases, the beard and turban are checked inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple, which is wrong,” he said.
A source in the SGPC, however, said some ragis do not even remember the shabads and take help of mobile phones or written notes. “Some of them hide their mobile phones or notes under the table while performing kirtan in many Gurdwaras and have been caught,” he said.
Ragis are often reprimanded while reciting kirtan and under tension, they further tend to forget the shabad, he added. Jagtar Singh’s assistant Mohinder Singh said, “Giani Jagtar Singh will not give any comment since the issue is of maryada of Darbar Sahib. Moreover, it is under the consideration of Sikh high priests.
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