Beadbi in Watford Prevented by Sikh Community

Over a period of 2 months members of the British Sikh Community have been in discussion with the a group of so-called “Sikh” individuals from Watford who hold monthly diwans (Sikh religious gathering) at the Multi Racial Community Centre Hall in Watford. After numerous meetings with the Community Centre, Hertfordshire Police and Commission for Racial Equality (Hertfordshire), a small faction of this group of individuals were still adamant to proceed with taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh Holy Religious Scriptures revered as the embodiment of God) to the Community Centre.

As per the Hukumnama (Order) of Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Sikh Seat of Sovereignty in Punjab, India) Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji cannot be taken to environments where alcohol, meat and tobacco are served and consumed. These individuals refused to work towards having the diwan at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Watford (local Sikh Temple) for the reasons that they wanted to run the Sikh Gurdwara in Watford but were not voted in as Committee members. Pictured is one of the individuals that supported the Beadbi in Watford.



On 31 July 2006 over 80 Sikhs from around the United Kingdom gathered to peacefully protest at the Multi-Racial Community Centre, Watford and prevent the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji from being taken into the complex.

After offering prayers at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Watford, the Sangat (Sikh Congregation) proceeded towards the Multi-Racial Community Centre. The Sangat continued attempts to persuade the faction of the “Sikh” individuals at MRCC committee to adhere to Sikh Rehit Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) and re-arrange the diwan to the local Gurdwara.

Unknowingly to the Sikh Congregation who had gathered to peacefully protest, the Saroop (embodiment) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was in a metal suitcase placed on the front seat of a car that was parked on the road opposite the Community Centre. This was deeply offensive, deceitful and extremely distressing not to mention one of the most disrespectful acts that could be carried out in the Sikh faith, as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is never transported in a suitcase as a mere “object” of the Sikh Religion. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.



Once the gathered Sikh congregation became aware of this extremely hurtful and upsetting act, the shocked congregation sat around the car reciting prayers for over an hour. In that time the culprits who had carried out one of the most insulting acts in the Sikh religion could not come out of the car.

Present at this protest was Hertfordshire Police and representatives of Commission of Racial Equality (Hertfordshire). They all gave in to the conviction of the gathered Sikh congregation and agreed to their demand that five Sikhs will take the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to Watford Gurdwara and the diwan will not take place in the MMRC.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib was respectfully removed from the suitcase and re-clothed. Prayers were performed and the Sikh Congregation asked for forgiveness for any wrongdoing. The Saroop was respectfully taken to the Sachkhand (resting place for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) of Watford Gurdwara.

Further resolve was achieved when the “Sikh” individuals at MRCC committee verbally promised, in the presence of the Police and CRE representatives that this diwan, and therefore any other insulting act that would offend Sikhs, will never take place again in Watford. Also a young member representing this committee attended Watford Gurdwara after the incident and apologised for their behaviour and re-iterated that the diwan will never take place again. However, the resolve by Police and CRE intermediaries included a written statement promised from the individuals that diwan will not take place. The individuals must produce this documentation to give confidence that any disrespect towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and offence to the British Sikh community will not happen again.

The British Sikh Community will not allow individuals to exploit the Sikh Religion as a means of settling personal conflicts. Once again, the British Sikh Community has shown their love for their father Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The elders and youth who were present on the protest conducted themselves as true Khalsa and upheld the ideals of the Sikh Religion. With Guruji’s blessings the British Sikh Community continues to uphold respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

An SSNews sewadar captured the moment when the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj was retrieved from the disrespect of the suitcase after which the King of Kings was taken to the Sachkhand (resting place for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) of Watford Gurdwara:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi2h-w7NPLg

Local News Report - Click Here

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Firstly, why has such a deal never been addressed in the countless numbers of weddings, akand paths,satsangs and functions etc that take place in people's homes, leisure centres, hotels all over the country?

Secondly, it looks to me like the video on You Tube proves that although you may beleive it was 'peaceful', you used intimidation to bully these people - just the kind of acts that the Gurus fought against. It makes me sick that these people are willing to interfere in peoples' praying whe they have never themselves ever paricipated in that communities activities before.

Also - what completely astounds me is that you will not have the Guru Granth Sahib in a place where there is alcohol consumed etc etc, yet these silly militants have happily posted this video of it right alongside pornigraphic images/videos etc - have some bloody shame. This is exactly why religions such as Islam are stronger than Sikhism - they do not fight against each other, they stick together.

Also - these patehtic militants that think they they do right should have some basic shame and cover their legs in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib and in the Gurdwara - don't walk around with those skirts on you sahmeless freaks

Anonymous said...

To the anonymous guy , firstly your so dumb, how isit next to pornography on the internet? its only close to it if your viewing pornographic material while viewing this site. Secondly u say Islamic people 'stick' together? so why are shi'ites and sunni's killing each other? You flopped there didn't you mate? Also u dumb s**t those skirts u r refering to was the uniform Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave to the Punj Pyare when The khalsa was made. So get your facts right first before u start righting nonsense on the net.

Anonymous said...

I have the utmost respect for the Sikh religion and the Sikh Gurus who made great scarifies which I can not even contemplate sitting here in comforts of a home. However it does seem to me that the followers Sikh religion are rudderless, because of this, views of some are enforced upon others. Some are even confused about Sikh pride with arrogance, which leads them to behave in a way which can be compared to bullying and self alienation from general public. If places where alcohol, preparation meat etc.. should not be used then what about the persons who consume alcohol and eat meat. Aren’t those substances in the body of the people who are around the holy book. Who is pure? Small communities try and make best use of whatever the resources are available to them and it would be incorrect to force them to act differently.