PHAGWARA: Following various representations by Sikhs, including a conglomerate of 30 Sikh bodies called Alliance of Sikh Organisations (ASO), to Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar in Amritsar, the Acting Jathedar of the highest spiritual-cum-temporal Sikh seat announced formation of a Sikh Heritage Commission to supervise the restoration, renovation and repair of over 50-year-old gurdwaras, Sikh architecture, art and paintings.
This was disclosed here by Sukhdev Singh Khalsa Phagwara, a spokesman of the ASO, and Parampal Singh Sabhra who was among the delegates who met Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh at Amritsar.
Supreme Court advocate H.S. Phulka and other Sikh leaders were also in the delegations.
They had met the Jathedar in wake of demolition of about 200-year-old Darshani Deori (main entrance) of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Taran Taran March 30 night by Kar Seva head Jagtar Singh and his supporters, triggering strong protests among Sikhs.
Khalsa and Sabhra said that a detailed draft was submitted to the Jathedar. It covered all gurdwaras of country and abroad, including Pakistan, they said.
Accepting their demand, the Jathedar announced formation of the Sikh Heritage Commission, they said.
The Commissions would have two architects and conservationists, two historians, a horticulturist, a specialist of Sikh art and painting conservators and others.
Khalsa and Sabhra said that they had asked Jathedar to take to task those who were responsible for demolition of Darshani Deori, including SGPC officials/members, besides Kar Seva men.
Kar Seva head Jagtar Singh and others should be summoned at Akat Takht and awarded religious punishment, called ‘tankhah’ in Sikh religious parlance, the delegates pleaded.
They told Jathedar that Sikh historic and heritage sites like Chamkaur Di Garhi, Thanda Burj of Fatehgarh Sahib and house of Bebe Nanaki (sister of Guru Nanak Dev) at Sultanpur Lodhi had been razed to the ground in the past under the cover of Kar Seva.
“Our rich heritage was being replaced by slabs of marbles by these so-called ‘Babas’ who should be banned from doing this in future,” one of the delegates said.
Jathedar gave them and attentive hearing, the delegates claimed.
