It is very sad and at the same time very frustrating to inform the Sangat, that a lot of Gurdwaras within the
Reasons given by some Sikhs to justify their actions when carrying out this discrimination:
• The wheel chair has dirty tires, therefore it is not allowed in the Darbar, as it is a disrespect to bring dirt in the Darbar.
• When a person sits in the Darbar on a wheel chair, they are on a higher platform then the rest of the congregation.
These Arguments are very weak and can be easily crumbled with common sense.
The wheel chair tires be cleaned with wet cloth; most people wash their feet before entering the Darbar, so why can’t it be the same for a wheelchair? (It’s ironic because the same Gurdwaras allow dirty socks and crutches into the Darbar)
Even better why can’t the Gurdwaras provide clean wheelchairs already in the Darbar, then the person can be transferred into the Gurdwara owned wheel chair, which will be clean due to not being used on the street?
Does the disabled person sit on the wheel chair higher than the rest of the congregation to cause disrespect, or are they on it out of desperation due to their illness?
Would Maharaj throw a disabled person out of his Darbar?
Is their anyway of justifying, the denied access to the Darbar of a disabled person? Does the disabled person have any bad intentions to disrespect Sri Guru Granth sahib Ji, or are they helpless due to their illness?
In conclusion I state, that this Un-Sikh like behavior needs to stop, otherwise the reputation of the Sikh community as an caring nation will be tarnished
Historic Traditions:
Sakhi 1
In the times of Guru Amardas Ji there was a boy from a wealthy family. He was the only son, however seeing his wealth a couple of the local thugs befriended him and introduced him to alcohol and drugs. After a while he started buying these products for himself and his new friends. He stole from his parents to support his habits. After awhile he caught leprosy seeing this his friends left him and his family build him a little hut on their farm land (as leprosy was catchable). He become so ill that he used to cry in pain, both physical pain and emotional pain. Once a group of Gursikhs were going to see Guru Amardas Ji, and on their way while walking they were reciting Gurbani. Upon hearing the Gurbani the leaper felt a smooth and soothing feeling. He managed to make a few crying sounds and tap his hut. One of the Gursikhs heard this and answered this cry for help. The leaper asked the Sangat what they were reciting. The Sangat told him that they were reciting the Gurubani of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and that Sri Guru Amardas Ji is now at the throne of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and we are on our way to see him. Hearing this the leaper said Please Gursikhs take me with you; being true Gursikhs they didn’t refuse the sick mans request. (How could they refuse anyone a chance to see Guru Ji) they pulled him along in a (skateboard type of thing, which was used for the disabled them times). They took the leaper to the Darbar of Guru Ji. Guru Ji told the Sangat to take the leaper to the bathing site of Guru Ji. Guru Amardas Ji bathed the leaper with his own hands and cured him. The leaper became a devote Sikh of Guru Ji.
Sakhi 2
One day after the morning congregation was over a man brought a large bear into the Darbar of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. The man wanted to give a performance with his bear before Guru Sahib and the Sangat and as a consequence asked for permission. On being permitted to do so he began to wrestle with his bear. After a while he used his stick to make the bear do all sorts of tricks (Dancing etc).
At the time a Sikh called Bhai Kirtia Ji was doing chaur Sahib seva over Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. As the bear did its tricks Bhai Kirtia Ji would begin to laugh out loudly. Towards the end of the performance Guru Sahib turned to Bhai Kirtia and asked him, “Bhai Kirtia do you not recognise the bear?” Bhai Kirtia looked confused and said, “Guru Ji it is a bear I have never seen” Guru Sahib smiled and said, “Bhai Kirita it is your father Bhai Gurdas”.
Upon hearing this Bhai Kirita was really surprised and upset. He folded his hands together and humbly said to Guru Sahib, “O Guru of the world, my father always did seva in your holy Darbar. He would get up early in the morning and recite his prayers. He also served the ninth King, Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahahdur Ji Maharaj. Having done such dedicated seva how can this be the reward given to him? If this is his fate what fate awaits someone like me? Please be kind and tell me why my father ended up in this unfortunate position after serving the house of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj with such love and devotion.”
Guru Ji said, “It is correct that your father had served Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji Maharaj devotedly. But on one occasion, while he was distributing karah prasad, a passing Gursikh came into Darbar sahib to bow before the king of kings, with a cartload of goods on the move (so his clothes were dusty because he had been working). After paying his respects to Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji Maharaj and the sangat the Gursikh begged for some prasad (because he was in a rush to get back to his cart which was left unintended) but your father refused to give him any "Saying wait you turn". The Gursikh explained his situation to him, but instead, he reprimanded that Gursikh for making the request again and again and for advancing towards him like a bear. That Gursikh picked up a small piece of prasad which had fallen on the floor and uttered, ‘Waheguru’, and went away asking Akaal Purakh why some Sikhs of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj had forgotten the true spirit of Sikhi. According to this Gursikh those fake Sikhs were the real bears. A few days after this incident your father died and on account of the words uttered by that Gursikh he was born again as the bear who sits in front of us today.”
On hearing these words of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj the entire congregation felt pity for Bhai Gurdas Ji and collectively they begged Guru Ji to somehow redeem Bhai Gurdas Ji from that sort of life. Guru Sahib smiled at his Sikhs and turned towards the owner of the bear and asked him what price he was willing to sell the bear? The owner of the bear agreed to part with the animal for 200 rupees. Guru Sahib took 200 rupees from his own pocket and paid the owner of the bear.
After this the bear sat at the feet of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Guru Sahib then got some karah prasad prepared which was distributed to all the Sangat. Guru Sahib fed the bear a bit of prasad. A few seconds after Guru Ji had done this the bear went to sleep for the last time and Bhai Gurdas Ji’s soul was liberated by that King of this world and the next.
What will be the fate of people who discriminate against the disabled be?
Sorat'h, Fifth Mehl, Third House, Du-Padas:
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace of The True Guru:
Bathing of the soul and mind in the Sadhsangat (Sarovar of Sadhsangat) of Ram's (Waheguru's) daas (devotees), all past sins are erased.
One becomes immaculately pure, taking this cleansing bath of the soul (in this sarovar of Sadhsangat of Ram's (Waheguru's) daas)
The Perfect Guru has bestowed this gift.
God has blessed all with peace and pleasure.
Everything is safe and sound, as we contemplate the Word of the Guru's Shabad.
In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the holy, filth is washed off.
The Supreme Lord God has become our friend and helper.
Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
He has found God, the Primal Being.
(SGGSJ ANG 625)
