SGPC allowing printing of Guru Granth Sahib in foreign countries

Appointment of three Granthi Singhs for Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib approved by SGPC executive committee Portraits of Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Shaheed Bhai Ishar Singh and Jathedar Amar Singh to be displayed in Central Sikh Museum Important decisions taken during executive committee meeting chaired by Bibi Jagir Kaur Amritsar, August 23: Keeping in view the demand of the Sangat (community), the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to establish printing presses in foreign countries for printing the holy saroops (scriptures) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The SGPC will also make arrangements for sending the holy saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib with due respect and Maryada (code of conduct) by road to different states in the country. While sharing the decisions taken during the SGPC executive committee (EC) meeting on Monday, SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur said that the Sangat from different countries make demand for the saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib for the Gurdwara Sahibs there, and keeping the same in view, it has been decided to establish the printing presses in the foreign countries. “The decision has been taken after a long discussion. Due to the problems faced in sending the holy saroops to foreign countries and apprehensions of Maryada violation, Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s saroops will be printed in different countries under the supervision of SGPC. Along with the United States of America (USA) and Canada, the printing presses would also be established in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The support of the local Sangat and Gurdwara Management Committees will be taken for this task”, said Bibi Jagir Kaur. SGPC President said that in whichever countries, the printing presses will be established, from there, the holy saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib would be sent by road to the nearby countries as per the requirement. She also said that the demand for 100 holy saroops of Guru Granth Sahib for different Gurdwara Sahibs in Gujarat has also been accepted and in this regard, the SGPC would itself take the holy saroops to Gujarat by special bus. Bibi Jagir Kaur said that the EC has also approved the appointment of three Granthi Singhs for Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib. She said that the sub-committee formed in this regard recommended the names of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib’s Ardasiye Singhs (those who performed Ardas) Bhai Rajdeep Singh and Bhai Sultan Singh, and Bhai Baljit Singh, one of the Panj Piaras (five beloved ones) at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and the same has been approved by the executive committee. The ceremony to hand over services to these three personalities will be held on August 26. SGPC president said a Sikh police officer Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal had got martyred in the recent past in 2019 while on duty in the USA. She said it has also been decided to display a portrait of Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal in the Central Sikh Museum. She said the SGPC has already provided Rs 10 lakh for a memorial in the name of Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal in his town and his portrait will now be displayed in the Central Sikh Museum. Bibi Jagir Kaur said that for performing duty while wearing the ‘turban’ in the US police, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal had struggled for nearly six years with the authorities, due to which, the Sikhs were allowed to wear turbans while in service. She also said that the portraits of Shaheed Bhai Ishar Singh of Sri Nankana Sahib and Jathedar Amar Singh Dhaliwal Bet will also be displayed in the Central Sikh Museum. SGPC President said that from now on the offerings of Sri Akhand Path Sahib in the Gurdwaras managed by the SGPC have been increased to Rs 9500. SGPC President welcomes decision of Government of Pakistan to allow pilgrims to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib Meanwhile, Bibi Jagir Kaur welcomed the decision of the Government of Pakistan to allow the Sangat to visit and pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Kartarpur and appealed to the Government of India to give its permission to the Sangat in this regard by opening the Corridor as soon as possible. She said that the SGPC had written letters to the Centre government several times in this regard. “Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor closed due to COVID-19 should be reopened immediately and its decision should be taken especially before the ‘passing-away anniversary’ of Sri Guru Nanak Dev”, said Bibi Jagir Kaur. The SGPC President also appealed to the Union Government of India to bring Afghan Sikhs to India from the current situation in Afghanistan. She said that it has already been decided by the SGPC to arrange accommodation and employment for all the Sikhs who would come to India from Afghanistan. During the meeting of the executive committee, a condolence resolution was passed on the demise of Bhai Inderjit Singh Khalsa, father of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh Khalsa, former vice president of the SGPC. Those present in the meeting included SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur, senior vice-president S. Surjit Singh Bhitewad, junior vice-president Baba Buta Singh, general secretary Advocate S. Bhagwant Singh Sialka, chief secretary Advocate S. Harjinder Singh Dhami, executive committee members S. Satwinder Singh Tohra, S. Baldev Singh Chunghan, S. Ajmer Singh Khera, S. Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal, S. Darshan Singh Sher Khan, Bibi Malkit Kaur Kamalpur, S. Harbhajan Singh Masanan, S. Mithu Singh Kahneke, S. Amrik Singh Shahpur, SGPC secretary S. Mahinder Singh Ahli, additional secretary S. Sukhdev Singh Bhurakohna, S. Partap Singh, S. Sukhminder Singh, assistant secretaries S. Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, S. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, S. Tejinder Singh Padda, S. Sulakhan Singh Bhangali, superintendent Malkit Singh Beharwal, OSD S. Satbir Singh Dhami, OSDs to SGPC President S. Amrik Singh Latifpur and Dr Sukhbir Singh.