JALANDHAR/PHAGWARA: The printing of some birs of Guru Granth Sahib by an NRI and their subsequent Parkash (installation) in at least three gurdwaras, two of which are under SGPC control, has created a controversy as some mistakes have been pointed out.
The published birs have some spelling mistakes while some pages have been left blank.
Though these birs have already been handed over by the gurdwara managements to SGPC, a controversy is raging with Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC) demanding a clarification and apology from SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar.
DSGMC Dharam Parchar committee chairman Tarsem Singh had alleged that the birs were printed after a consent given by Makkar and that owning its responsibility, Makkar should resign. However, Makkar has denied giving the permission.
The Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Act promulgated by the state government in 2008 banned printing of Guru Granth Sahib by any private publisher except SGPC.
However, the NRI and his Phagwara-based associate Sulakhan Singh Johal, a businessman, got the birs printed from a private publisher, but it is not known from where.
Enquiries revealed that the two birs printed with gold-mixed ink were given at historic gurdwara in Sang Dhesian village near Goraya, gurdwara Sukhchainana Sahib, Phagwara -- both under SGPC control -- and Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Town, Phagwara, on Baisakhi day.
"The bir was brought by an NRI and Johal and we were told that printing of one bir cost them Rs 2 lakh. However, the granthi of our gurudwara pointed out that there were some spelling mistakes in the bir and some pages were also left blank. We then advised him to keep it closed and a few days back, SGPC officials took it away," said Satbir Singh Walia, president of Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Phagwara.
Former SGPC secretary general Manjit Singh Calcutta said that either Makkar should bring out the truth or Akal Takht jathedar Gurbachan Singh should order an enquiry to fix responsibility.
However, when contacted, Makkar said the NRI and his associate had come to him and said that they wanted to get the birs printed with golden ink. "I told them that firstly, the five high priests should be consulted. I never gave them consent for printing. Later on, they got it printed on their own. When we came to know, I consulted three experts, who said there were some mistakes in the bir," he said.
"I have asked SGPC secretary to submit a detailed report on the issue. After the inquiry, SGPC could file a criminal case as private printing of the bir was illegal," said Makkar.
The NRI, whose name is not known even to gurudwara managers, and Sulakhan Johal have reportedly gone abroad following the controversy, sources said.