Amritsar,Aug 10, 2011: The kar sewa men started removing the cement plaster from the Akal Takht platform, also known as Tharra Sahib, on Monday -- the day TOI ( Times of India) highlighted the damage done to the structure built by sixth Sikh master Guru Hargobind. Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh, who has taken umbrage to the damage caused to the structure which is revered by the Sikhs, also took stock of the situation after his return from Jammu and Kashmir.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar issued instructions for removal of the plaster and restoring the structure to its original shape. His personal assistant Manjit Singh said that apart from the jathedar, even SGPC officials oversaw the work. Removal of cement was taken up after consulting Delhi-based conservation expert S P Singh.
However, sources in SGPC claimed that removal of cement would cause some damage to the structure. "Only experts should be involved, to minimize the damage, instead of letting kar sewa men, who know nothing about conservation of old structures, do the work," said veteran columnist Dalbir Singh.
Baba Jagtar Singh, Kar Sewa Wale`s workers had caused a severe damage to Tharra Sahib by covering it with cement and changing its original appearance.
British Sikh Council, too, has taken strong exception to the damage caused to the heritage structure in the name of kar sewa. Council president Kulwant Singh Dhesi and general secretary Tarsem Singh Deol blamed the SGPC and Akal Takht clergy, especially its newly appointed head Granthi Gurmukh Singh, saying it happened right under their noses. They demanded an audit of damage to the Sikh heritage by Kar Sewa babas, especially Baba Jagtar Singh, who had undertaken construction at several historical places and damaged several heritage structures and symbols.
Interview with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh with Jus Punjabi explains the importance of the Akal Takht and the background of Tharra Sahib and the intervention to stop the damage to the Historic platform. Interview in Punjabi.