With Guru Ji's kirpa Sikh protesters resolved 2 separate issues this weekend where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was to be taken banqueting halls in Wembley and Docklands to perform 'Sikh' wedding ceremonies. We would like to thank the families who fully co-operated with the protesters and re-arranged the weddings at local Gurdwara Sahibs.
There remained 1 unresolved issue where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was to be taken to the LAKESIDE COUNTRY CLUB in Camberley, Surrey to perform a 'Sikh' wedding ceremony on Sunday (31 July 2005). Regardless of the discussions and meetings that the local Sangat had with the family, who live in Southall, they were still willing to go against the Akaal Takht Hukumnama. This was despite being able to have the wedding ceremony re-arranged at a local Southall Gurdwara at short notice.
On 31 July 2005 over 100 Sikhs from around the UK gathered together to peacefully protest at the Lakeside Country Club and prevent the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji from being taken into the complex where meat, alcohol and cigarettes are served. A Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was brought from Guru Granth Gurdwara - Mangat Hall, Southall by Tarlochan Singh Grewal. This individual, who is in a responsible position of running the Gurdwara, transported the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a suitcase placed on the front seat of his van. Due to the large presence of Sikhs, Tarlochan Singh Grewal fled the scene and was unable to take Guru Ji's saroop into the premises. There was no further successful attempt to take Guru Ji's saroop onto the premises as the large presence of Sikhs hindered the entry. The family eventually re-arranged the Sikh wedding ceremony to a Gurdwara Sahib in Southampton.
The Sikhs then moved on to Guru Granth Gurdwara-Mangat Hall to confront Tarlochan Singh Grewal. Five chosen Sikhs tried to peacefully discuss the issue with Tarlochan Singh Grewal, who has persistently gone against the Akaal Takht Hukumnama and taken Guru Ji's Saroop to bars, clubs, pubs, hotels etc on numerous occasions. However, he was insistent that he had done anything wrong by denying the act and stating that he does not follow any Akaal Takht Hukumnama. A further confrontational statement was made by Tarlochan Singh Grewal's son-in-law who said that they do not acknowledge any Hukumnama or Sangat request abou
t being responsible for taking Sir Guru Granth Sahib Ji's saroop to places where meat, alcohol and cigarettes are served. He further stated that they would continue to take Guru Ji's saroop to these kinds of venues and no one would be able to stop them. Guru ji's Saroop was then taken by the Sikhs from Guru Granth Gurdwara-Mangat Hall to a Sachkhand of another Gurdwara Sahib.It is with great shame to know that Gurdwaras have better links with Banqueting Halls and Hotels than it has with its own Sangat. People like Tarlochan Singh Grewal are not ignorant to the disrespect they cause to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. They have sold their conscious and make a living out of deceit, lying to families and taking Guru Ji wherever anyone wants. Their charges range from £500 upwards depending of level of service. When did Guru Ji and Sikh Maryada become a commodity for sale or a service to be provided to suit us?
On these grounds, we thus implore the Sikh community in general, whether they are involved in the offending marriage ceremonies or not, to take a step backwards and reconsider where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji stands in their life. Is the respect we display to Guru Sahib hollow and ritualistic, or does Guru Sahib really stand at the centre of our lives? Are we truly Sikhs of the Guru? By showing the appropriate respect to Guru Sahib and giving as much love and respect as possible, there can be no doubt that Guru Ji himself will bless us in our every day living and make our life more worthwhile.
