Although, according to Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, Siropa or Sirpau symbolizes a physical robe worn from head to feet, it epitomizes an absolute honor. In Sikhism, Siropa is, supposedly, the highest award for one’s temporal as well as celestial endeavor and through it “Servant Nanak has entered His Sanctuary. He has perfectly preserved his robe of honor. All suffering has been dispelled. The All-powerful Lord’ Master heard my prayer; cutting away my bonds, He has adorned me. He dressed me in robes of honor, and blended His servant with Himself.” (Sorath M.5, G.G.S. P.631).
To the ones receiving the robes of honor by false pretenses, the Gurbani makes it clears too. “But by putting on the silk clothes of Godless mammon worshipper one loses one’s robe of honor.” (Bilawal M.5, GGS p.811).
Bhai Tiloka and Bhai Ram had been the most ardent devotees of Guru Gobind Singh. They were the decedents of Baba Phul of Phulkia Dynasty. They had won Guruji’s favor by showing extraordinary valor in the battles, and at Damdama they were baptized by Guruji himself. In about 1696 Guruji issued an edict to them in which he mentioned, “I am very much pleased with you, my house is yours. You must come. A Sirpau (Jorra) for you is being sent.” Probably this was the initiation of prestigious Sikh Sirpau or Siropa, as it is popularly known.
Till the advent of S.G.P, C., rise of some of its scrupulous leaders, and promulgation of its mony spinning schemes, Siropas, bestowed at the high seats of Sikhism, were considered 1o be the matter of great pride. Jathedar Aroor Singh denigrated the noble tradition by endowing Siropa to General Dyer, the villain of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In the contemporary history, the honoring of H.K.L. Bhagat, the bona fide murderer of 1984 riots, has been a black spot. The Gurdwara Committees colossally demeaned its value by the Sale of the Siropas; anyone who donated about 100 rupees was honored with a robe, irrespective of one’s character and past history. Not only it has given rise to political and social malpractice, it has been highly discriminatory.
Pritpal Singh Bindra in his apostate form (at that time) goes to Harmandir Sahib Amritsar, Patna Sahib, and Hazoor Sahib. He pays about 100 rupees at each place and is endowed with Siropas (particularly in the presence of a prominent Ragi who knew that Pritpal Singh Bindra was once in a True Sikh Form), On the other hand a celebrated person, in Poor an Sikh Adoration but with dyed beard, is denied the Siropa just because that person’s political wavelength is one a different frequency.
The concept of Siropa needs to be set up in its proper prospective and there are only two ways to deal with the matter. The Siropa, particularly at the Sanctum Sanctorum, should be awarded only to the people who either render some Sachi sewa, true service (certified by at least five Singh Sahiban) or display some academic accomplishment (adjudged by pre appointed panel of academicians) in promotion of Sikh thought and practices, irrespective of their personal appearance and personal religious background, provided their personal physical and cerebral actions have not been detrimental to the Sikhism. Bhai Nand Lal and Kavi Senapatt would have qualified for a Siropa by Guru Gobind Singh as much as Bhai Daya Singh or Bhai Mani Singh. [Provided by: Pritpal Singh Bindra, Mississauga, Ont. Canada].
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1996
