Proposal For “Bar” At Leamington Gurdwara Complex Submitted To Local Council

Leamington Spa, UK—Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick has once again hit headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Sikh Cultural and Sports Community Centre Committee and the Trustees of Gurdwara Sahib have now submitted a proposal to the local Warwick District Council for a bar, thus defying the basic teachings of Sikhi and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as well as the  supreme authority of Sikhs, the Akal Takht Sahib.
 
Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara SahibPlans have been submitted for a bar, which will be open 7 days a week, to be constructed on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex, land which is owned by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. On the 4th of February 2014, Satnam Bains, Chair of Sikh Cultural and Sports Community Centre Committee (located on Gurdwara Sahib Complex), submitted an application to Warwick District Council outlining planning permission for a proposed new Sikh Community Centre (planning application reference no: W/14/0164).
The local Sikh Community felt extremely angry and betrayed as assurances were given at an open meeting by the Chief Trustee of Gurdwara Sahib, Jaswant Virdee, and the Chair of Sikh Community Centre, Satnam Bains, that all rumours relating to the consumption of meat and alcohol on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex were not true.
Evidence has now come to light that these individuals and their supporters have not only deceived the local sangat but have also shown the utmost disrespect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by continuously misleading the congregation from the Gurdwara stage in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This planning application has brought the local and entire Sikh community into disrepute. 
An even greater shock is that the Gurdwara Sahib Committee are fully supporting the planning application. Shalbinder Malle, current General Secretary of Gurdwara Sahib, has also continuously misled the congregation and supported this application from the beginning.
Even more confusing and baffling is that Shalbinder Malle, Mota Singh, Balraj Dhesi, and the Chief Trustee Jaswant Virdee recently went live on a national Sikh TV Channel to promise that there would be NO Meat or Alcohol on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex. 
Furthermore, the application is being fully supported by local Councillor Balwinder Gill:
“I support this application as a ward councillor.  As there is a need for this sort of facility for community function.  There is no other one in the town.  People have to book in Coventry or Solihull and most of them are very expensive.”
Sandesh (Order) Issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Any form of intoxicants (alcohol, drugs etc.) and preparation or consumption of foods such as meat, fish and eggs are not permitted on Gurdwara property.
Buildings bought or constructed using the Daswand of the Sikh Sangat or Gurdwara donations are solely to be used to be used for Gurmat purposes and the betterment of society.
There is no permission granted for dancing and singing or any acts which go against the principles of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The Sikh Community Centre planning application (W/14/0164) can be found at:
Extracts from the supporting planning documents:
  • Page 4 of the ‘Design and Access Statement’
  • The spaces for social activities need to be located as far from the temple as possible for religious reasons;
  • A sports hall for 5 aside football, badminton, indoor cricket and fitness with associated changing rooms and equipment store. This space will double as banqueting space for weddings.
  • Page 12 & 26 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
  • The auditorium would also have a small bar that would be open during events and also from 7.00pm each evening for the community.
  • Page 9 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
  • The main function for the community centre is to provide a venue for a multi-purpose sports hall that can host wedding receptions;
  • Currently, wedding parties hold the religious service in the temple then travel to an off-site venue for the wedding reception and party. It is the intention for the developers to create a reception venue in close proximity to the temple so wedding parties can simply walk from one venue to the other.
The local and wider Sikh Community, need to ask the question why, and hold these community leaders to account for their actions.
If anyone would like to discuss the planned proposals with the respective leaders, details can be found below:
Jaswant Virdee, Gurdwara Chief Trustee Tel: 01926 311734 / 07881 771098
Shalbinder Malle, Gurdwara General Secretary Tel:  07956 819911
Satnam Bains, Chairman of Sikh Cultural & Sports Comm. Centre Tel: 07958 430464

Plans submitted for a “Bar”
at Leamington Gurdwara Complex
The Sikh Cultural and Sports Community Centre Committee and the Trustees of Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick have decided to defy the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the order of the supreme authority in Sikhism the Akal Takht Sahib. 
 
Plans have been submitted for a Bar”,which will be open 7 days a week, to be constructed on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex, land which is owned by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. On 4th February 2014 Satnam Bains, Chair of Sikh Cultural and Sports Community Centre Committee (located on Gurdwara Sahib Complex), submitted an application to Warwick District Council outlining planning permission for a proposed new Sikh Community Centre (planning application reference no: W/14/0164).
 
The local Sikh Community feel extremely angry and betrayed as assurances were given at an open meeting by the Chief Trustee of Gurdwara Sahib, Mr Jaswant Virdee, and the Chair of Sikh Community Centre, Mr Satnam Bains, that all rumours relating to the consumption of meat and alcohol on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex were not true.
 
Evidence has now come to light that these individuals and their supporters have not only deceived the local Sangat but have also shown the utmost disrespect to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, by continuously misleading the congregation from the Gurdwara Stage in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This planning application has brought the local and ALL Sikh community into disrepute.
 
An even greater revelation is that the Gurdwara Sahib Committee are fully supporting the planning application. Mr Shalbinder Malle, current General Secretary of Gurdwara Sahib, has also continuously misled the congregation and supported this application from the beginning.
 
Even more confusing and baffling is that Mr Shalbinder Malle, Mr Mota Singh, Mr Balraj Dhesi and the Chief Trustee Mr Jaswant Virdee recently went live on a National Sikh TV Channel to promise that there would beNO Meat or Alcohol on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex.
 
Furthermore, the application is being fully supported by local Councillor Balwinder Gill, who quotes:
“I support this application as a ward councillor.  As there is a need for this sort of facility for community function.  There is no other one in the town.  People have to book in Coventry or Solihull and most of them are very expensive.”
 
Sandesh (Order) Issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib
 
Any form of intoxicants (alcohol, drugs etc.) and preparation or consumption of foods such as meat, fish and eggs are not permitted on Gurdwara property.
 
Buildings bought or constructed using the Daswand of the Sikh Sangat or Gurdwara donations are solely to be used to be used for Gurmat purposes and the betterment of society.
 
There is no permission granted for dancing and singing or any acts which go against the principles of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
 
The Sikh Community Centre planning application (W/14/0164) can be found at:
 
 
Extracts from the supporting planning documents:
 
  • Page 4 of the ‘Design and Access Statement’
  • The spaces for social activities need to be located as far from the temple as possible for religious reasons;
  • A sports hall for 5 aside football, badminton, indoor cricket and fitness with associated changing rooms and equipment store. This space willdouble as banqueting space forweddings.
  • Page 12 & 26 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
  • The auditorium would also have a small bar that would be open during events and also from 7.00pm each evening for the community.
  • Page 9 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
  • The main function for the community centre is to provide a venue for a multi-purpose sports hall that can hostwedding receptions;
  • Currently, wedding parties hold the religious service in the temple then travel to an off-site venue for the wedding reception and party. It is the intention for the developers to create areception venue in close proximity to the temple so wedding parties can simply walk from one venue to the other.
 
The local and wider Sikh Community, need to ask the question why, and hold these community leaders to account for their actions.
 
If anyone would like to discuss the planned proposals with the respective leaders, details can be found below:
 
Mr Jaswant Virdee, Gurdwara Chief Trustee Tel: 01926 311734 / 07881 771098
 
Mr Shalbinder Malle, Gurdwara General Secretary Tel:  07956 819911
 
Mr Satnam Bains, Chairman of Sikh Cultural & Sports Comm. Centre Tel: 07958 430464
 
 
 

17 COMMENTS

  1. All the money which has been used to buy the place for the Gurdwara Sahib and the Community Centre has been donated by the Sangat for religious causes.The donations can certainly be used for the betterment of the Sikh Community
    but the rules and the regulations of Sikhism should be followed in all circumstances.

  2. It is such ashame that people like yourself Mr Walla are trying to make our beautiful Sikh religion extremist. In the gurus eyes we are all equal – you my friend are a perfect example of someone who will most likely embark upon a future in terrorism perhaps? Whether someone has Singh in their name or not, the fact that they have been selected to do seva for our gurdwara in leamington spa speaks volumes. Someone like yourself can try and defame them via the internet, and make outrageous accusations but the committee consists of reputable members of our community. Something or someone you will clearly ever be with your narrow mindedness. You silly silly fool.

    Miss Aman Bains

    • One only needs to see the historic local press for these so called “reputable members” , they show no transparency and have consistently hidden agendas that was clear from the TV shows on this issue, they constantly looked shifty and scared to speak in case they get found out.
      We are very quick to label extremism, however these are not radical opinions but more tenets of Sikhism.

    • I don’t know why sikh 24 didn’t allow my comment, but what I said in my last reply was-What part of Harmeet Singh Walia’s reply was extremism? I agree with what he has to say. Obviously the committee doesn’t consist of reputable members if they are trying to make a bar, and when they say they are making a bar most likely its a alcoholic bar. How dare you to say that he will embark on terrorism in future? I don’t even know him, but the only reason I commented was because he stood up for the right and you gave such a stupid reply to him. Can you define terrorism for me? Can you define extremism for me? People like you are brainwashed, and don’t understand what happened to our people.I know this is off topic but search up sant jarnail singh bhindrawale speeches on youtube you will learn alot.

  3. so what is it ? a coffee bar ? or a milk bar ? I am sorry I didn’t know there are non alcoholic bars. Why don’t you throw your PhD or MBBS/MD away as you are clearly not fit to be a Dr.

  4. Ignoring the Bar issue for a moment, I want to know why “dancing and singing” are described as needing permission of Akal Takht, as activites “going against Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”? Dancing takes many forms and has many reasons – it is not necessarily to excite or provoke, and more often to express joy and happiness at being alive. Singing could even be said to be integral to worship! The idea that these two beautiful expressions of humanity are against Sikhi is itself quite sickening. Please amend the article, or justify this description. Bhul Chuk Maaf.

    • Before was before and was not right since then akal takht has spoken and issued a sandesh stating it is not allowed

      End of unless you follow some other authority

    • What if there is a proposal to serve bacon at mosque ? You wont like that. Would you ?
      The problem is that it goes against teachings of the religion. That too at a religious place. If it was someplace other than a gurudwara I would have no problem with this .

      • Is this really the biggest issue affecting us?
        Not eating meat or intoxication is not mandated by the gurus. Sikhism is a religion freedom and empowerment – fulfill your destiny as your ancestors did: become warrior philosophers not sheeple following pundits and dogma.

      • YOUR Guru said: “Drinking wine, his intelligence departs, and madness enters his mind;””He cannot distinguish between his own and others,””He is struck down by his Lord and Master” (SGGS p554)

        “Those who are deluded by sensual pleasures, are tempted by sexual delights and enjoy wine are corrupt.” (SGGS p335)

      • Go read SGGS . Just having your name as ‘jatt” (I assume it is based on your last name). (which BTW is not allowed) does not make you an expert on religion.

  5. Are these idiots out of their mind? A reception hall within the premises of a Gurdwara sahib is no way acceptable in any form irrespective of convenience!

    I will forward this piece to SGPC for action and label the Gurdwara sahib’s admins as enemies of sikhism.

  6. People need to be educated. Some of the best food is vegetarian. You DO NOT need alcohol to celebrate and enjoy, if you do you are a sad person who needs artificial stimulation. There are some fantastic non-alcoholic drinks, if only people used their imagination! If only people were properly educated in food and drink.

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