HoneY
MaaPeya Da LaaDLa
Patiala April 2:
The issue of auction of the relics of tenth Sikh guru, Gobind Singh, has snowballed, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) seeking that the auction in UK be stopped.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar today said the SGPC has already shot off a letter to the head of monarchy in Britain, Queen Elizabeth II, besides another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking their intervention in the matter.
Makkar said, “We would not allow any such auction, as the holy relics of Sikh gurus should be returned to the SGPC, which is the supreme religious body of Sikhs.” He also demanded to know how any religion could allow auction of relics they worship.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has also stepped in and is writing to the Prime Minister, opposing the auction. “The auction is highly condemnable and would not be tolerated,” said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, while urging the PM to take up the sensitive matter with UK at the international level. Badal said the government “will try to prevail upon the PM to use his good offices in stopping the auction”.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also said they would oppose the auction, adding, “The PM should talk to the UK government and stop the auction immediately.” Makkar has also suggested that experts’ help be sought to authenticate the relics first. “In case they are found to be genuine, the relics should be handed over to the SGPC for preservation,” Makkar said. The SGPC chief also suggested sending SGPC representatives to UK to ascertain the veracity of the Guru’s relics.
The issue of auction of the relics of tenth Sikh guru, Gobind Singh, has snowballed, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) seeking that the auction in UK be stopped.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar today said the SGPC has already shot off a letter to the head of monarchy in Britain, Queen Elizabeth II, besides another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking their intervention in the matter.
Makkar said, “We would not allow any such auction, as the holy relics of Sikh gurus should be returned to the SGPC, which is the supreme religious body of Sikhs.” He also demanded to know how any religion could allow auction of relics they worship.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has also stepped in and is writing to the Prime Minister, opposing the auction. “The auction is highly condemnable and would not be tolerated,” said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, while urging the PM to take up the sensitive matter with UK at the international level. Badal said the government “will try to prevail upon the PM to use his good offices in stopping the auction”.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also said they would oppose the auction, adding, “The PM should talk to the UK government and stop the auction immediately.” Makkar has also suggested that experts’ help be sought to authenticate the relics first. “In case they are found to be genuine, the relics should be handed over to the SGPC for preservation,” Makkar said. The SGPC chief also suggested sending SGPC representatives to UK to ascertain the veracity of the Guru’s relics.
