Sikh Sangat Protesting Outside Ek Niwas Mandar
View More Images of the Protest and Event
Wolverhampton (KP) – On Sunday 10th December 2006, trouble broke outside Ek Niwas Mandar on Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, during a peaceful protest involving hundreds of Sikh women, men and youngsters relating to the violation of the Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada and infringement of the Hukamnama issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Ek Niwas is for all practical purposes, a Mandir (Hindu temple) that promotes so-called unity amongst all faiths. However, the only religions represented in its practices are Hinduism and Sikhi. Panthic Weekly highlighted the Beadbi committed inside Ek Niwas in late May 2006:
http://www.panthic.org/news/124/ARTICLE/2503/2006-05-28.html
On Sunday morning at 10:30am, about 50 members of the Sikh Sangat gathered outside Ek Niwas Mandir after reports of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee’s Pavitar Saroop was being kept inside the premises, despite a written agreement by Ek Niwas management made in the summer that they would not keep any Pavitar Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee on their premises after protests from the Sikh Sangat and intervention of Sri Akal Takht Sahib who issued a specific Hukamnama in regards to Ek Niwas.
Two members of the Sikh Sangat entered Ek Niwas and witnessed that the two Pothi Sahibs (Smaller Volumes) of Sri Guru Granth Sahb jee were Prakash on a Manji Sahib (throne) placed next to idols of Hindu deities and there were confirmed reports that a Pavitar Saroop of Guru Sahib was still on the premises. This prompted the Sikh Sangat to peacefully protest for the Pothi Sahibs and the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee to be given back to the Sikh community so that the appropriate reverence and respect could be given.
The Sikh Sangat faced abused and harsh words from the Ek Niwas Mandir cultists. The Sangat sat down outside Ek Niwas and began Waheguru Simran. At approximately 4pm, people from inside Ek Niwas hurled stones and pebbles at the Sangat. Two members of the Sikh Sangat protesting were arrested but later released. Several Sikhs were injured, including one youth who had to have stitches as he was hit on the forehead by an object. The police were called in who blocked off all of Dudley Road. West Midlands Police said the trouble was quickly contained.
Announcements were made on radio for the Sangat to turn up to Ek Niwas to join the peaceful Protest and that the Sikh Community would not go home until Guru Sahib’s Pavitar Saroop and Pothi Sahibs were returned back to the Sikh Sangat. Ek Niwas continued hurling abuse and stones at the Sangat.
Approximately a 400 strong Sangat remained until 9pm when Ek Niwas decided to hand back the Pavitar Saroop and Pothi Sahibs. The Police monitored the area through the night but the situation remained peaceful.
