Akal Takht, the primary seat of Sikh religious authority, has banned the installation of Guru Granth Sahib in houses having liquor bars or where substances like tobacco, other intoxicants and halal meat are consumed.
This decision was taken at a meeting of the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar on Tuesday.
Giving details about the decision, Akal Takht Jathedar (high priest) Giani Gurbachan Singh said keeping the Guru Granth Sahib in houses of Sikhs who had made liquor bars in their drawing rooms was tantamount to showing utter disrespect to the holy book, which is considered a living embodiment of Sikh gurus.
Besides liquor bars, the Sikh families using substances that are against the basic tenets of the religion have also been cautioned against keeping the holy book in their homes.
“Sikh families who consume ‘halal’ meat, smoke hookah, charas (hashish) and tobacco also can’t have the holy book in their homes. We also advise Sikhs to abstain from such practices. Else, religious action would be taken against them on receiving any such complaint or violation,” said Gurbachan.
The Takht has also banned placing Guru Granth Sahib or holding its prayers at samadhs or places which worship the dead. The Takht also banned printing of Guru Granth Sahib by anyone else but the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). In another decision, Sikh high priests on Wednesday declared SGPC member from Doda, Navtej Singh Kauni, as ‘Tankhayia’ (religious atonement).
with thanks : New Indian Express : LINK : for detailed news.
