WOOLWICH, UK—The new Management Committee of Ramgarhia Gurdwara on Masons Hill, Woolwich, have made a decision which has disappointed and saddened much of the local sangat.
The Gurdwara Committee have reverted to a system where by the Punjabi school, Guru Nanak Bhai Lalo Khalsa School, will be hired out for the use of parties.
Members of the local sangat have expressed an overwhelming concern that the use of the Punjabi school for parties may lead to the consumption of meat and alcohol on the premises.
A second concern aired by sangat is the inevitable use of bhangra music at such parties. Much bhangra music, in its inescapable encouragement of alcoholism, caste, and lustful behavior is contrary to Gurmat principles and teachings.
Some have also voiced their sadness about the sevadars who run the Gurdwara failing to employ the same respect and adherence to Gurmat in the neighboring building as they would in the Gurdwara premises. It has been suggested that partaking in religious discourse in the Gurdwara while simultaneously encouraging the use of the Punjabi school for anti-Gurmat activities amounts to hypocrisy.
Sangat have been urged to call or approach the new Management Committee in order to prevent further disrespect from taking place.
A Gurdwara is not a business that ‘needs an income’.
Using money for the Golak to fund premises which are then used for parties and anti-gurmat practices is completely wrong.
A Gurdwara organisation should focus on imparting the bani of the Gurus – not to seek financial gain.
PLEASE NOTE: the hall will only be let if NO meat or ALCHOL is consumed in the hall… But u know that anyway because u asked the Gurdwara right???? Before you wrote this article.
That hall started out as a community hall for things like this in the first place, so it’s nothing new. The school actually came after to expand its use, so it’s just reverting back to something that generates income again. If people visited/donated more maybe it wouldn’t have been necessary!
I Don’t know who wrote this article, but the quote
“Much bhangra music, in its inescapable encouragement of alcoholism, caste, and lustful behavior is contrary to Gurmat principles and teachings.”
Is completely misguided and narrow thought!
I’ve been in the Bhangra industry for 30 years and never touched a drop! It’s NOT by no means encouraging to be having an alcoholic beverage at the sound of Bhangra music. I still do more paath than Amritari’s I know. Please Do NOT degrade what is also a part of our Culture and distinction. So Many Amritari Gur Sikh’s do Bhangra & Gathka. The instrument History must also be taken into account. Tabla came from Kotha’s where the courtesans would dance for money (and the rest) accompanied by song and Tabla. This instrument is allowed in Gurudwara’s.
Ultimately you need to look at the bigger picture. If they do not allow this then due to the lack of revenue it would be far worse if the shut the whole Gurudwara down!
I disagree with Jas here – basically for the following reasons:
1. Did any of our Gurus promote parties – bhangra etc,
2. Income can be gained in a variety of ways to the public, via social support, psychological support – even a chemist in a Gurdwara would generate income for the Gurdwara – however our intelligence just doesn’t stretch far enough to support basic social services as such we always resort to parties which risks alcohol and demeans anything that is religious and peaceful.
The way i look at it is that it is a much needed income for the school and temple. As long as nothing comes into the temple i don’t see the problem.
reply to Jas,
the gurudwara is the door to the Guru…Guru Ji is guiding people to become better people, to help overcome their 5 thieves…you cannot have an establishment/committee providing access to our Guru and at the same time providing a place to party and consume alcohol…it is like saying…”hey, alcohol consumption is a negative influence on ones path to experiencing God, so please make all efforts to NOT consume it”, and then saying in the same breath “but here’s a hall for you all to party in”
Akaal Takht Sahib issued a worldwide edict, staying NO Gurdwara owned building is to be used for parties, meat or alcohol… regardless of income it generates.
This goes against principles of sikhi. Partying, alcohol and meat have no place in sikhi.
Jas, in response to the post, would you allow the Gurdwara to open up a pub and strip club? As long as it doesn’t come inside the Gurdwara, it’s fine then isn’t it?
Aren’t you gonna do anything about it?!?