Chandigarh: Akal Takht is all set to initiate action against US-based Thamminder Singh Anand for unauthorizedly printing the ‘Sarup’ of ‘Shri Guru Granth Sahib’ and for allegedly distorting Gurbani. Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh has convened a Panthik congregation on May 3 to hold discussions with Sikh scholars and representatives of various organizations to get people’s feedback on the issue.
The SGPC has also taken strict notice of a Chandigarh-based agarbatti firm for publishing ‘Gutka Sahib’ in Hindi and printing its company’s advertisement on it. The SGPC has issued orders to the Religious Investigation Department of the Dharma Prachar Committee to send a team to investigate the matter. Thaminder, who runs sikhbookclub.com, has been accused of not only publishing copies of ‘Sarup’ but also uploading its PDF on the website.
After this, a meeting of five high priests will be called and a decision will be taken to take action against Thaminder. It is alleged that the contents of the holy book were allegedly distorted and contained grammatical errors, which have changed the original verses of Gurbani. Terming it as a violation of the Sikh Rahat Maryada (Sikh religious code of conduct), the Jathedar said that any distortion of Gurbani can never be tolerated.
Sources said Thaminder had given an explanation in the Akal Takht, but it appeared to be unsatisfactory. The SGPC has also appealed to the Jathedar to take action against the unauthorized printing of Sarupas containing distorted Gurbani verses. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said that action would be taken against the company concerned based on the report of the probe panel. Misuse of Gurbani for commercial interests is unacceptable.
