For the first time in my life yesterday, I was asked to leave a Gurudwara premises and was escorted out. My crime was standing near the entrance of a Gurudwara to distribute a handout to raise awareness on the plan by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committee’s plan to clad the walls of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib with gold.
While I have no problem with gold being used for decoration as it is being used already, I think some balance needs to be maintained. I feel that this money could be better spent in other areas like improving the quality of schools run by the Gurudwara Committee and providing loans to poor students. Here is what transpired this morning:
I was standing at the entrance of Gurudwara Sees Ganj distributing the handout. After about 30-45 min I was asked by the Sewadars to stop doing what I was doing and take “permission” from the management. He took me inside to the office where the Manager and another person who also seemed to be part of the Gurudwara Management started questioning me.
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Management: Why are you doing this? Who told you that gold was being put on the walls.
Me: DSGMC President Sarna Sahib told a reporter of the Tribune newspaper. I read the news report in the paper.
Mgmt: So what if we are putting the gold? Even Harmandir Sahib and Hajur Sahib have gold wallls. The outside crowns and palki Sahib are also of gold.
Me: I have no problem with gold per se. But I feel a balance needs to be maintained. The sangat has the right to know from where and how money is being used. As part of the sangat I have right to voice my concerns.
Mgmt: Then go and do this outside in market and not near the Gurudwara.
Me: I’m trying to talk to my fellow Gursikhs at the feet of the Guru’s house. Also, I’m already standing outside at the entrance and not in the main area.
Mgmt: We are already educating children of other faiths. Do you know we even have Muslim students?
Me: And that is commendable, but more could be done. We could improve the quality of the schools and give better education to the kids.
Mgmt: You think you know a lot huh. Why are you wearing a pagdi that matches your shirt. Isn’t that for decoration too?
Me: That point is irrelevant to the discussion. Besides (lifting my shirt) I’m also wearing a kirpan as the Guru instructed.
Mgmt: Go away from here and find Sikhs on the roads and colonies. We will do whatever we want.
Me: Gure Teg Bahadur said “Kanchan matti manae”. Consider Gold and Earth the same. You can have the Gurudwara to yourself and I will stand on the opposite street.
(I walk out of the office and I’m escorted out of the Gurudwara premises).
When I reach the other side of the road a middle aged Sewadar from the Gurudwara comes up to me and takes me around the corner. In a hush tone he tells says:
Sw: I agree 100 percent with your opinions and we need people like you to voice these issues. I’m very happy you are doing this and would like to bring some other things to your attention. Do you know that the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib doesn’t have proper arrangements for water. The water coolers are broken and there are not enough water kiosks. The bathrooms are in disarray. When this was brought to attention of President Sarna he said that people should bring water bottles from home.
Me: Are you serious? That’s pretty bad.
Sw: Look at the outside marble walls and pillars of the Gurudwara (Sees Ganj) in front of you. Half of them have cracks and are broken. The taps inside don’t have any water and neither does the serai (traveller lodge) and we have come outside to drink water. The shed covering the stairs is cracked and we have been asking for a while for funds to fix it. Most of the improvements are donated by individuals and not the Gurudwara Management. There is very little accountability of how the money is being spent. Supposedly, there are thousands Sewadars on the rolls but most do nothing and have been appointed through referrals and nepotism is rampant. There are schools run by the Gurudwara Management, but the fees are really high. The salary paid to the Sewadars is not enough and they have to go beg from people to pay the fees. Most teachers are also through referrals and are not well qualified and hence the quality of education is deteriorating.
Me: Really? I had no idea. Why don’t people complain?
Sw: They do but are put down by the President and his supporters. He is a devout man but is very powerful. No one can stand against him. All the other members and Managers are afraid of him and quiet in front of him and his family.
Me: Hmm I see. So what can we do? How do we voice these concerns? They just threw me out of the Gurudwara.
Sw: See there is no point taking to these people. The entire Management is in the President’s pocket and no one will listen to you. Arguing with these people is waste of time. If you want to change things then the pressure has to come from outside. Use the power of your pen, that is your Kirpan. Send letters and petitions to the World Sikh bodies. Send notices to Amritsar and other Takhts. Talk to the media and get published newspapers. Print a few thosand pamphlets and distribute amongst the main Sikh neighborhood in Delhi. Help get the word out.
Me: Yes I will try for sure. But why don’t other people in the sangat here voice these concerns?
Sw: See everyone is busy with their daily lives. A lot of people know the problems but are afraid to voice their concerns. They are cynical and think it won’t make any difference.
Me: Ya I know it’s tough to break out of the cycle.
Sw: We need more people like you, my brother. Otherwise who will give us a voice?
Me: We will help you. Let me see what is possible.
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After a day like today, my resolve to do something, anything about this issue has only increased. I have edited my original post and have now included some of the problems and issues raised by the Sewadar. I would like to get the opinions of some more people to see how many agree with this pamphlet.
Gold, Earth and the Sikh way of life – A Request - If you could please leave a comment and/or forward to other people, I would be grateful.