SGPC President objects to Haryana CM standing bareheaded in Sikh prayer
Amritsar, February 11: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami has taken serious note of Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar’s violation of Sikh Maryada (conduct) of standing bareheaded in Sikh ardas (prayer) and asked him to apologize. He said that during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Charitable Hospital at Faridabad in Haryana recently, a video of Manohar Lal Khattar has come to light, in which he is involved in Sikh prayer without covering his head.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Haryana CM has violated Sikh Maryada by doing so, which has greatly hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. He said that there is a tradition of Sikh prayer, according to which every person attending the same respectfully stands with his head covered and both hands folded while devoting to the Guru. He said no one can violate this Sikh Maryada at their own will.
SGPC President said that CM Khattar belongs to Punjabi origin and he has knowledge about Sikh Maryada. Despite this, it is extremely sad and unfortunate that he deliberately hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. He said it is even more sad that during the event, general secretary of the unconstitutionally formed Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) Gurvinder Singh Dhamija is also seen standing with CM Khattar. Gurvinder Singh’s failure to stop the CM from violating Sikh Maryada raises big questions.
He said it is also clear from this video that the office-bearers of HSGMC, formed with the aim to destroy the Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), are only flatterers of the government. They have nothing to do with the adherence to Sikh Maryada, as has come to light during violation by Haryana CM Khattar.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Haryana CM Khattar should immediately apologize for this violation and the local Sikh leaders of Haryana present there must also clarify their position.