PATIALA: Acting Jathedar Akal Takht Manjit Singh said that the controversy over the construction of a gurdwara at Mastuana having architectural affinity with the Golden ‘Temple had been resolved amicably, the gurdwara management has agreed to effect major structural changes in its original building design for pro viding it a look completely different from that of the structural appearance of the Golden Temple. Even the Sarovar (water tank) digged around the Mastuana gurdwara would not be filled with water rather some sort of landscaping would be laid there to beautify its surroundings.
While releasing the recommendations of the meeting between the Mastuana gurdwara representatives and the Akal Takht nominees to the press here last week the Akal Takht Jathedar said that the committee had also recommended that in future no gurdwara would be allowed to be Constructed until its architectural de sign was approved by the Akal Takht. Manjit Singh said that he had accepted the three page detailed report including its six recommendations to avoid any such controversy in future. He said that the report would be handed over to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee for formulating guidelines for future, To dispense with the controversy the Akal Takht had formed a committee consisting of Jathedar Kewal Singh of Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Kharak Singh, a scholar of Sikh studies, Chandigarh, Ram Singh, Principal of Mastuana Akal Degree Col Jege, Mastuana, Mohinder Singh, a relired Brigadier, Bibi Harshan Kaur and the Mastuana gurdwara management was represented by Baba Sucha Singh, head of the gurdwara, Baba Lal Singh, Baba Roor Singh, Baba Prithvi Singh, secretary and two trust of the Akal Educational Council, These representatives from both sides March 29 and prepared this report with six recommendations which the Akal Takht had accepted in tote, said Manjit Singh.
The other recommendations of the committee include that in future no gurdwara building will be designed the architectural design of any of the Sikh historical gurdwara nor will any gurdwara be permitted to be named after the name of any historical gurdwara or Sikh historical building. The committee has even barred the naming of the Sikh gurdwaras after the name of any living saint or personality because it is not in the interest of the Sikh community.
The committee also recommended that some actions should be initiated immediately to prevent the revival of “maryada” at gurdwaras which is against the Sikh traditions, All such institutions and individuals promoting themselves in the name of Sikh religion should be warned.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 10, 1996
