Jul 8, 2012 - AMRTISAR: Jathedar of Akal Takht- Sikh's supreme temporal seat- Giani Gurbachan Singh has sought clarification from Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, Uttrakhand on the incident of 'seize' of Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib by wild bear's during winters when Gurdwara remains closed due to heavy snow.
While talking to TOI on Sunday, Gurbachan Singh said that Akal Takht secretariat had received complaints of the sacrilege of Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib which remains closed due to heavy snowfall in recent past.
"We came to know that due to negligence of management of Gurdwara, wild bears entered in the Gurdwara building, remained there for nearly 6 months and also gave birth to their cubs" he said.
Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib is situated at the height of more than 15000 feet and is frequented by Sikh devotees in large number.
According to Bachitra Natak, the autobiographical account of the tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh, it was at Hemkunt 'adorned with seven snow peaks' that he meditated in his previous birth. Reportedly black Asiatic bear and brown bear are found in these areas of Himalayas.
He said he had sent a letter to the Trust questioning where were the saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib during that period, whether Bear's had caused any damage to Sri Guru Granth Sahib or other religious books.
Singh said that sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib wouldn't be tolerated at any cost and if the management of Trust was found to be guilty of negligence they would be summoned at Akal Takht.
He said the issue would be deliberated during the meeting of five Sikh high priests scheduled to be held on July 12th and if need by a sub committee would be constituted that would visit the Gurdwara to collect first hand information so as to take required steps to prevent such incidents in future.