In light of the recent incidences of beadbi, or disrespect, of Gurbani that have taken place in Punjab, Sikhs across the world have awoken to the need to protect and defend Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Gutka Sahibs from disrespect.
An often neglected aspect of beadbi that occurs regularly is the swearing of oaths on gurbani. This often occurs in court proceedings, but also when elected officials take their oaths of office.
The UK’s Adult Court Bench Book says with respect to Sikhs, “Their holy scripture is known as the Guru Granth Sahib, and a portion of it known as the Sunder Gutka may be suitable for the purposes of swearing an oath in court proceedings.”
Many courthouses therefore have Sunder Gutkas and even small saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that are kept amongst other religious texts. They are not given proper respect and are used to swear oaths by individuals who are often wearing shoes, not covering their heads and with unclean hands.
In the early 1980s in British Columbia, a Sikh who was not keshdhari was called to testify at a trial. When he was being sworn in, a small saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was handed to him. When he saw this, he immediately covered his head and took off his shoes, shocking all those present who had no idea what respect Gurbani is afforded by Sikhs. The matter reached the Sikh community, which contacted the Solicitor General, and a total of 35 small saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were recovered from British Columbia courtrooms and then brought to Vancouver’s Khalsa Diwan Society.
The concept of swearing an oath upon Gurbani is against the principles of Sikhi. Gurbani is the divine word of God and must not be disrespected by being used for oaths in mundane worldly matters. We bring serious disrespect to Gurbani by using it to swear oaths in criminal, civil and family matters.
Some elected officials have taken great pride in swearing their Oath of Office on Gurbani. This too should be discouraged as Gurbani is not some other “holy book”; it is the living Guru of Sikhs and must be given the utmost respect. Gurbani is to be read, reflected upon and absorbed. Not as a prop to swear worldly oaths.
The solution is simple: Sikhs should avoid taking Oaths and simply choose to Affirm by raising their right hands and solemnly pledging. Gurbani gutkas and saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that are currently being used for this purpose should be taken back by the Sikh community and given the proper respect and treatment they deserve.
