Friday 17 July 2009

Akal Takht Sahib Officially Bans Same-Sex Marriages for Sikhs

Friday 10th of July 2009
Panthic Weekly News Bureau
AMRITSAR SAHIB (KP)—Following a request by SGPC President Avtar Makkar to comment on the recent legalization of gay marriages in India, Giani Gurbachan Singh, after holding a meeting at Akal Takht Sahib, announced such marriages to be in contradiction to Gurmat. As reported by the Panthic Weekly in last week’s edition, gay marriages were legalized by Delhi’s High Court but Sikh leadership raised concerns over the passing of such laws.

While passing a sandesh to the Sikh Community living in Punjab and worldwide, Giani Gurbachan Singh stated that no Gurdwara should allow persons of the same sex to get married as per the ceremony of Anand Karaj. Any Gurdwara partaking in such wrong-doing would have to face serious consequences.

In the meeting that was held this past Wednesday, Giani Gurbachan Singh acknowledged that gay marriages were not in accordance to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh religion promotes gristhi jeevan between a man and woman, with the sole emphasis having been laid on meditation and selfless service. In a Sikh lifestyle, lust and attachment have no place.

Giani Gurbachan Singh also appealed to Sikh families worldwide to not tolerate such things in their families and households. Such problems should be dealt with proper care, said Giani Gurbachan Singh while announcing the sandesh to the press.