||Black and White Digital News ||

||October 05,2024 ||

CHANDIGARH:The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has expressed strong objection to the online sale of Gutka Sahib and Gurbani Sainchi (sacred scriptures of the Sikh holy book) by e-commerce giant Amazon. SGPC has demanded that Amazon and other e-commerce platforms immediately cease the sale of these sacred scriptures, citing violations of “Sikh maryada” (code of conduct).

SGPC President, Harjinder Singh Dhami, condemned the practice, stating that the online sale of Gutka Sahib and other holy scriptures cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. He emphasized that the respect and sanctity of the sacred texts are compromised when they are stocked, packed, and transported like ordinary commodities, a process that inherently violates the traditional norms of Sikh religious conduct.

“When these sacred scriptures are shipped from one place to another through courier or parcel services, it is inevitable that their reverence is compromised, and the Sikh maryada is disregarded,” Dhami asserted. He further added that the Sikh community holds the holy Gurbani in the highest regard, and this practice is causing resentment among the devotees.

Legal Action and Upcoming Deliberations

Dhami revealed that a legal notice had been served to Amazon in the past when similar incidents were reported, prompting the temporary suspension of such sales. However, it appears that these practices have resumed. “The Sikh community has brought to our attention that the online sale of Gutka Sahib has resumed on certain platforms. In response, a formal letter is being drafted to Amazon, demanding the immediate removal of these sacred texts from their listings and an explanation from the company,” he said.

To address this issue comprehensively, the SGPC plans to discuss the matter in its upcoming Dharam Prachar Committee meeting, which oversees Sikh religious preaching and code of conduct. The organization is also exploring further legal and community-driven responses to ensure that Sikh scriptures are treated with due reverence.

Appeal to Publishers and E-commerce Platforms:

In addition to targeting e-commerce platforms, the SGPC President issued a stern appeal to publishers, urging them to refrain from selling Gutka Sahib and other Sikh scriptures online. He highlighted that any commercial handling of these holy texts disregards the respect due to the Gurbani and hurts the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Dhami insisted that the issue is not only about the sale but also concerns the manner in which these scriptures are handled. He reiterated that the SGPC would not allow any entity to violate Sikh traditions and that steps would be taken to ensure compliance with religious norms.

Widespread Support and Resentment:

The objection raised by the SGPC has resonated with Sikh communities beyond Punjab. In Jammu, Gurmeet Singh Jammu a Sikh preacher and community leaders have also raised their voices against the online sale of Gutka Sahib by Amazon, demanding its immediate cessation. They stressed that sacred texts should be distributed in a manner that ensures respect and maintains religious dignity, and online sales fall short of this standard.

A Call for Greater Sensitivity and Understanding:

The controversy has opened a broader debate on how e-commerce platforms handle sacred religious items. While e-commerce companies may view these texts as mere products, the SGPC and the Sikh community see them as holy scriptures that require specific protocols for handling, transportation, and storage.

In conclusion, the SGPC has urged Amazon and other similar platforms to exercise greater sensitivity and remove these sacred items from their listings. The Committee has indicated its willingness to escalate the matter if the companies fail to comply, underlining that the sanctity of Sikh religious texts cannot be compromised under any circumstances.

The SGPC’s firm stance reflects the ongoing efforts to safeguard Sikh traditions and ensure that the community’s religious sentiments are respected, both online and offline.