Dated: 18th April 2023
To,
Mr. Yudhvir Rana,
Sr. Journalist/Reporter,
Times of India
Amritsar
Reg: Your Reporting Titled ” Not allowed into Golden Temple over Tricolor on face: Woman” dated 18th April 2023
Dear Mr. Rana,
It is the undisputable fact that Religion came first, then came Civilization, Codified Law, Countries and Flags. Let us respect them in that order.
Everyone visiting a Religious place must observe the decorum and sanctity of the Sacred place of Worship and not go with painted faces and inappropriate dress.
The decorum and one’s decent attire is to show respect for the Almighty Lord and to Guru Sahib.
Over the years, people, particularly Ladies go to
Gurudwara Sahibs with open hair, revealing clothes and inappropriate dress, including Sikh Ladies, which is highly deplorable.
People are seen taking selfies, dancing in the complex/ Parkarma of Gurudwara Sahibs. These videos are posted on Social Media with filmy songs to degrade and insult the Sacred place of Worship, wherein people don’t differentiate between a Religious place and a Tourist place.
If the Sewadar had stopped this lady for her Frock or the “Painted Flag” on her cheek, if the Lady had slightest respect for this Holy place, she would have removed the paint from her face, covered her legs and gone in. Instead, she choose to make this an issue, inviting Social media attention and spreading hatred.
Shri Darbar Sahib Amritsar has four Gates, meaning, it is open to one and all, without discrimination. This means, for Almighty Lord, all Humans are One Race.
Guru Sahib does not give preferential treatment to Indians and less to Africans etc.
Therefore, if the SGPC Management Committee allows all Indians to visit Shri Darbar Sahib Amritsar with National Flag painted on their face, tomorrow a American National or a Nigerian, who is equal in the “eyes” of Almighty visits Shri Darbar Sahib with their Country National Flag painted on their face, again SGPC Management Committee would have to allow them also, which is not logical or Spiritually correct.
Belonging to a Country, Tribe, community etc are National issues, not of Religious / Spiritual concern, which transcends above all these Worldly matters and boundaries.
Visiting Atari Border, Sports Stadiums, or Parties with painted National Flag on Cheek is fine, however, we cannot paint our faces like this and go to our Work place or Educational Institutions, which have their own strict Rules and Dress Code.
Even School Students have to adhere to a strict Dress Code and School Rules (Recent banning of Hijab).
A Gurudwara Sahib is not only a Sacred Religious place, it is also Guru Sahib’s School, which has Rules and Decorum (Rehat Maryada) where we are taught how to conduct ourselves and live our spiritual life.
God “sees” no Indian or African etc, He “sees” only Humans.
ALL HUMANS ARE ONE RACE.
Request all to respect Sacred Religious places and stop spreading hatred and mocking our Faith.
Yours faithfully,
NEENA SINGH
LL.M. ADVOCATE
TEAM MEMBER – SIKH LEGAL AID
A2/129, Safdarjung Enclave,
New Delhi – 110029
