Some Sikh scholars here see a conspiracy in the arrival of two Sikh women from UK and the consequent controversy over the issue of seva by women in Golden Temple.
 
They argue, no local Sikh woman or organisation of Sikh women has raised the issue in recent times. In fact, they had favoured not allowing women to perform sewa due to certain considerations.
 
These scholars believe a non-issue is being raised for political mileage, belittling Sikh traditions in the process. That the two women chose to seek help of a political party confirms the suspicion, the scholars say.
 
The women were allegedly prevented by an SGPC sewadar from participating in sewa of Sukhasan ceremony at Golden Temple, on February 13. They had then filed a complaint with SGPC and approached a political party also.
 
Harinder Kaur Riar, principal of Khalsa College Public School, told TNN on Tuesday that, "No Sikh woman is restrained from performing sewa inside Golden Temple. There are some set precedents. After all, Sikh women perform sewa of Guru Granth Sahib at home also."
 
Kashmir Singh Patti, a Sikh scholar, opined that some consideration about cleanliness of a religious place might have motivated the women to not perform sewa inside the sanctum sanctorum. About the recent controversy, he said only non Sikhs could be behind it. He also suspected a political party’s involvement.
 
Amarjit Kaur, a Sikh intellectual, said the issue of performing sewa by Sikh women had been raked up only by the two UK-based women and it would subside by itself.
 
SGPC secretary Harbeant Singh said the matter was still under consideration and might be discussed in the Dharam Parchar Committee meeting at Chandigarh on Tuesday. He however claimed the SGPC office was flooded with opinion on allowing women to perform sewa, mostly negative. He said the issue would be decided with consensus.