Filming of a Bollywood movie in Harimandir Sahib is a highly reprehensible act and sacrilege of the most pious seat of Sikhism. Coming issue of Sant Sipahi, the oldest Panthik journal makes scathing attack on the SGPC for allowing shooting of a movie in Harimandir Sahib which according to the journal ridicules the maryada and sanctity of the pious place .
The way the acting was allowed to be performed at Harimandir Sahib with or without the permission of the SGPC and blatant permission being granted to filmmakers without even verifying the plot, story or the theme of the films clearly shows that SGPC has virtually abdicated its responsibility.
At times SGPC makes objections to the filming of Sikh characters against the norms of Sikhism but here the SGPC itself is allowing same type of characterization and that too inside the Harimandir Sahib complex itself. Bit more than that it is observed that sometimes SGPC or even the SGPC secretariat lends a helping hand to the film makers. Bole so nihal film which earned the wrath of the Sikh community was in fact facilitated by the Akal Takht secretariat. It will be interesting to see if the latest film which has been shot now carries some objectionable material. If it does then the common Sikh will knock whose door, asks the editorial of Sant Sipahi.
Harimandir Sahib is not a monument or piece of land. Harimandir Sahib as well as the city itself was built by the great Gurus and was made the nucleus of Sikhsim. There is no exaggeration in the words of the great philosopher Prof. Puran Singh that whenever it comes to your mind to visit Harimandir Sahib, rush. But after reaching there be careful, walk slowly with utmost reverence. For beneath each tile of Harimandir Sahib is preserved heads of hundreds of martyrs.
It will be worth recollecting that in the late fifties a film company brought its shooting team in Harimandir Sahib. Instead of paying obeisance in a sober and respectful manner when the actress did so with an improper way the Nihangs present there got infuriated and the unit was burnt down. Thereafter no shooting was allowed in Harimandir Sahib.
But in the early sixties it was duo of Sants Fateh Singh and Channan Singh who allowed shooting in Harimandir Sahib. This opened the flood gates for the film stars and filmmakers who made beeline for shooting there.
SGPC has constituted panel to approve the books for publication but when it comes to allowing shooting of films and that too in Harimandir Sahib the SGPC presents a callous approach.
SANT SIPAHI.
PANTHIK MAGZINE]
24, Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar,
Jalandhar City 144001. Punjab. India.
Phone: +91-181-2227665/4615423. Mob: +91-93571-25680/98159-63036.
kindly visit www.santsipahi.org, www.patshahi10.com, www.patshahi10.org
