Tehran gurdwara closed? Now, local Sikhs claim it's open
Amritsar: There is confusion over the closure of the lone gurdwara in Tehran, the national capital of war-hit Iran, with some local Sikhs claiming on Saturay that they had never closed down the shrine.
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They, however, clarified that they were not carrying out the daily parkash (ceremonial waking up) of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sources said the conflicting statements were the outcome of internal politics. Amardeep Singh Anand, a Sikh from Tehran, said the gurdwara had never been closed down during the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and they were committed to safeguarding the saroops of Guru Granth Shaib. "Three of the saroops are newly installed, and the community wishes to retain them in Iran.
We are capable of securing them, even under the worst conditions," he said. One saroop, he added, geld deep emotional and historical significance for the community, and they did not intend to send it to India.
He confirmed that the remaining two saroops were being considered for relocation to India for their safety.
Anand's clarification came soon after an unnamed statement by the Gurdwara Management Committee (GMC), Tehran, claimed that Tehran's Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurdwara (BGSSG) had been open throughout the conflict, but without the parkash of Guru Granth Sahib.
The unnamed statement from GMC also stated that the daily prayer, Panj Bani, was recited every morning and the Rehra Sahib every evening. "Only the parkash is not being conducted temporarily.
This decision was taken out of deep respect, to prevent any possibility of beadbi (disrespect), especially during these trying times," the statement read.
In recent past, BGSSG former vice-president Lajpal Singh Anand and former Tehran resident Singh Chandok claimed that the gurdwara had been closed due to safety reasons.
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An Iranian gardener, Abbas, and a caretaker, Harjit Singh, are in the gurdwara where four saroop of SGGS have been placed.
Reacting to the statement, Anand said the management reopened the gurdwara on Saturday morning only, after the issue was raised through media.
"They reopened under pressure from the global Sikh community," said Lajpal, adding that the committee had itself admitted to the parkash of Guru Granth Sahib being suspended.
He refuted the claim that Panj Bania and Rehra Sahib were being recited every morning and evening. Puneet Singh Chandok, president of the Indian World Forum, also claimed that the gurdwara was closed and opened on Saturday only, after the issue was raised in media. Amardeep Singh refused to comment on claims by Singh Chandok and Lajpal Singh.
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