Chandigarh, May 27, 2015: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today sought the personal intervention of his Sikkim counterpart Mr Pawan Kumar Chamling for immediate restoration of Maryada (Sikh religious code of conduct) in historical Gurdwaras of Sikkim.
In a letter to Mr. Chamling, the Chief Minister apprised him that there were a number of historical Sikh Gurdwaras in Sikkim which were related to the first Sikh Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visits to the state. He said that these Gurdwaras were located in Gurudongmar, Thanggu, Lachen, Chungthang, Tumthang and Lachung adding that a large number of devotees visit these Gurdwaras every year. However, Mr. Badal said that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sri Amritsar, which was the apex religious representative body of the Sikhs, has brought to his notice that the Maryada has been discontinued in above said Gurdwaras since last few years.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that the Sewa-Sambhal of the sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and also of the Gurdwaras has been taken away from the local Sikhs and the boards indicating Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visits at these places have been removed. He further said that the historical symbols related to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Chungthang have been given Bodhi- form by erecting walls around them adding that even Guru Ji's belongings were also not being displayed for visitors at Lachen. Mr. Badal also lamented that even the Nishan Sahibs have also been removed from these places.
The Chief Minister said that all this has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs and has caused resentment amongst them. Seeking personal intervention of Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr. Badal urged him to give an audience and support to the five members delegation formed by SGPC under the leadership of its General Secretary Mr. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, which has been specially deputed to visit Sikkim regarding the issues of restoration of Maryada in Gurdwaras of the state.