Report on Sikh Women's Seva in Darbar Sahib Delayed

Special to SikhNet by Gurdarshan Singh Bahia

PATIALA, MAY 15, 2003: The sub-committee on Women Kar Seva did not submit its report on May 15th, the deadline fixed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parabhandak Comiittee. Dr. Darshan Singh, convener of the committee said the delay was due to the absence of Dr. Kharak Singh, one of the committee members in the meeting held to finalize the report at Amritsar on 8th May. Dr Kharak Singh could not attend the meeting due to the last minute change in its venue from Chandigarh to Amritsar.

Dr. Darshan Singh said that the committee would now meet on 18th May at Fatehgarh Sahib to prepare the final draft and it would be submitted to the SGPC within 15 days after the scheduled meeting. He admitted that besides few Sikh women organizations, some “influential groups” of the Sikh society are also trying to mount pressure on the panel not to change the half-century old “maryada” being practiced in the Darbar Sahib. Dr. Darshan Singh assured that the committee would not relent to any kind of pressure and it would decide in accordance with the Sikh Sidhant (principles).

The SGPC had constituted this Committee to resolve the issue of allowing women to participate in Ishnan Seva and Palaki Sahib Seva which has come into the lime light after the SGPC employees stopped two England based Amritdhari Sikh women, Manjindar Pal Kaur and Lakhbir Kaur from performing this seva. Besides Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh the other members of committee are Dr. Darshan Singh, Dr. Kharak Singh (both the members of Dharam Parchar Committee of SGPC), Amarjit Kaur Sekhwan and Kartar Kaur (both the members of Executive Committee of SGPC).

The Sikh doctrine has accorded women with equal rights to men in all walks of life. Reliable sources in the sub-committee said that the committee was of the view that women should be allowed to perform the Seva of Kirtan, Morning Ishnan and Palki Sahib in Darbar Sahib. According to these sources the committee is submitting its report in the favor of women.