Crown Point, Indiana (KP)--According to members of Respect for Guru Granth Sahib North America (R4G-NA), members of an Indiana Gurdwara have been committing beadbi by taking saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to hotels and clubhouses to perform Sikh marriages. Sri Akal Takht Sahib issued a Hukamnama in 1998 forbidding Sikh Anand-Karajs to be held at hotels, marriage palaces, and at any other venues where proper respect of Guru Granth Sahib could not be kept.
(Click to View HukamNama of Sri Akal Takht Sahib)
Eyewitnesses report that the Sikh Religious Society of Indiana allowed the transportation for a sacred saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji to be taken the Meadows Club in the town of Rolling Meadows, Illinois on May 25th, 2009 for a wedding held for a daughter of a Chicago resident, Harpreet Singh.
Meat, alcohol, and cigarettes used in same hall
When the Sikh sangat from Chicago initially found out about the plan to transport the sacred saroop to a hotel/club hall where meat, alcohol, and cigarettes are openly used, they requested the wedding organizers to hold the function at the Gurdwara Sahib in Palatine. The organizers declined to heed the advice of the Sangat, and instead went on and proceeded with their plans in cooperation with Sikh Religious Society of Indiana members.
In violation of Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s edicts, the wedding participants, along with Sikh Religious Society of Indiana head granthi Harpal Singh committed the beadbi on May 25th.
Bride’s Father Challenges Sri Akal Takht
According to an eyewitness, the bride’s father, Harpreet Singh, boasted in a telephone conversation that the Sikh Religious Society of Indiana will hold another such wedding.
He also challenged the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, by reportedly saying, “Go tell Akal Takht that we are not afraid of any Jathedar. What are you doing to do about this now?”
Allegedly, he also used derogatory language against the Takht Jathedars and Gursikhs who were requesting for implementation of the Hukamnamas. The local Sangat from Chicago also approached Gurnam Singh Sidhu and Surjit Singh Grewal, both trustees of Sikh Religious Society of Indiana. They also rejected the Sangat's pleas.
Respect for Guru Granth Sahib North America sevadar M. Singh told Panthic Weekly that he is disappointed by the news. "How can these people call themselves Sikhs yet completely disregard hukamnamas from the Panth? Even without the hukamnamas, it doesn't take much more than common sense and basic knowledge of Sikh principles to know that this is wrong."
The volunteer further spoke about Gurdwaras that are now bringing the party hall to the Gurudwara. According to him, many Gurdwaras in North America are now allowing tents and special halls to be filled with tables where guests can wear shoes, decorate elaborately and bring in caterers--completely bypassing the Guru's langar.
"They just keep taking it further and further. Why do they even do an Anand Karaj, a holy ceremony with deep spiritual meaning, when outwardly they do not want to be Sikhs?" he asked.
Contact information for Crown Point Gurdwara:
Sikh Religious Society of Indiana
10005, Colorado Street
Crown Point, Indiana USA- 46307
(219) 793-9446
