Akal Takht warns Australian gurdwara of action against partaking of langar on chairs
Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said this is in violation of Sikh maryada (code of ethics) that allows partaking of langar sitting in a row and only physically disabled persons can be given relaxation.
Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Saturday warned the management of a gurdwara in Australian city of Sydney of stern action for allegedly forcing the sangat (congregation) to partake of langar on chairs and tables.
Taking a serious note of the arrangements of serving langar on chairs at the Sydney-based Sikh Mission Centre, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has directed its management to stop the practice. He said this is in violation of Sikh maryada (code of ethics) that allows partaking of langar sitting in a row. Only physically disabled persons can be given relaxation, he said.
“Even as the gurdwara management has been asked twice to not go against the maryada, they continue to force the sangat to partake of langar on chairs. The sangat complained that the gurdwara head also uses abusive words against the devotees,” said Gurbachan Singh.
“The gurdwara head is behaving like a dictator by imposing the rules that violate the Sikh tenets. The devotees are not bound to obey him. The sangat has also told me that he also restricts the devotees from partaking langar while sitting. This cannot be tolerated anymore,” he added.
“Ironically, the office-bearers of the gurdwara are adopting ethos of other religions. They should preach values of their own religion. The management is directed again to make langar arrangement as per Sikh tradition, failing which they will face stern action by the Takht,” the jathedar said.
He also appealed to the sangat to raise voice against the management.