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Akal Takht Restrains S.G.P.C. on Women Sewa

By STAFF

U.N.I., Amritsar, Sep. 27, 2005

Photo: Mejindarpal Kaur and Lakhbir Kaur, prevented from performing sukhasan seva at Darbar Sahib, Feb. 15, 2003

The Akal Takht, the highest religious seat of the Sikhs, today restrained the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.) from going ahead with its proposal to permit Sikh baptised women devotees from performing kirtan (reciting of religious hymns) in the Harmandir Sahib, the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and other historical shrines.

The order of the Akal Takht has also stayed the S.G.P.C. proposal of allowing women devotees from performing palki sahib sewa (palanquin service) in the Golden Temple complex. The directions also stayed another proposal of allowing women baptised devotees from participating in amrit sanchar (baptism ceremony).

This decision was taken at a meeting of the Sikh high-priests held at the Akal Takht here. The meeting was presided over by Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti.

Takht Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar, Tirlochan Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh, head-granthi of Hazoor Sahib and gead-granthi of Patna Sahib, were also present in the meeting.