North England (KP) – Last week the Sangat was made aware that an Anand Karaj had planned to take place on Sunday 7th May 2006 at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, Sheffield. Members from the Sikh Community across the UK contacted the Magna Centre and peacefully and gracefully made them aware that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the divine sacred scripture, which is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, cannot be brought to the Centre or any other premises where alcohol, intoxicants and meat are permitted and served.
The management of the Magna Centre confirmed on Friday 5th May 2006 that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji will not be brought to their premises on 7th May 2006. Beadbi (sacrilege) has been prevented with the Anand Karaj now taking place at a Gurdwara Sahib in Sheffield.
It has been claimed that Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Scunthorpe were responsible for arranging Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Pavitar Saroop to be taken to Magna Centre. However, a number of respected Sikh elders from the Midlands and surrounding areas contacted and persuaded the President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Scunthorpe that taking Guru Sahib’s saroop to the Magna Centre would be violating Guru Sahib’s sanctity & an abuse of Sikh principles.
With Guru Sahib’s blessings the UK Sikh community resolved the situation peacefully and calmly through communicating with the Magna Centre and Gurdwara Sahib concerned. Similarly the venue for an Anand Karaj, which was planned for Sunday 30th April 2006 at the Thistle Hotel in East London was successfully moved to a nearby Gurdwara Sahib in Barking after the Sikh Community contacted the Hotel and in dignified manner explained their concerns. The Sangat once again have taken lead and shown its love for their Guru, Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
A member of the UK Sikh Sangat promoting education and awareness on maintaining respect and dignity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji said, “Together the Sangat has to carry on educating Gurdwara committee members and granthis (scriptural attendants) about the impact of their decisions and the importance of positions the UK Sikh Community.”
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