Akal Takht asks Sikhs to refrain from idol worship of gurus

The Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhism, on Monday appealed to the Sikh community to refrain from all forms of idol worship as this practice was prohibited by the gurus.

The Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhism, on Monday appealed to the Sikh community to refrain from all forms of idol worship as this practice was prohibited by the gurus.

Akal Takht jathedar made it clear to members of the community that idols or statues of Sikh gurus, moulded in clay, bronze or any other metal, should not be gifted or presented at religious or other functions. (HT Photo)

The appeal was issued after it was brought to the notice of Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh that Sikh gurus idols’, made of clay or bronze, were being worshipped in some homes or being presented to VIPs or chief guests at functions.

Without specifying any particular case, the jathedar made it clear to members of the community that idols or statues of Sikh gurus, moulded in clay, bronze or any other metal, should not be gifted or presented at religious or other functions. He also asked Sikhs to desist from making idols of the gurus as this was strictly prohibited by the Akal Takht.

The jathedar clarified that there was no restriction on making or painting portraits of the gurus or presenting these at functions. He said people were free to hang photographs or pictures of the gurus in their homes but these must be well looked after.

“There is no place for idol worship in Sikhism as we bow our heads only before the Guru Granth Sahib and no one else,” he added.