LONDON, UK—For the first time in over two decades, many Sikhs across the world will withhold from lighting candles or divas (oil lamps) and use of fireworks to celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas – the Sikh festival which coincides with Diwali. This is to mark the continuing deliberate acts of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy Sikh scriptures which to Sikhs is the embodiment of our living Guru and resulting lack of adequate action and heavy handed treatment of protesters by the authorities.
In recent weeks in Punjab there have been a growing number of cases reported of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In protest at the lack of action from the authorities to trace and bring to justice the perpetrators of these attacks, Sikhs peacefully protested across Punjab. On several occasions the policing of these protests was extremely heavy handed with Police utilising lathi (cane) charges, live ammunition and water cannon against peaceful protesters. These tactics resulted in two protesters being killed and hundreds more being injured.
Secretary General of the Sikh Council UK, Gurmel Singh said, “The desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is extremely hurtful to Sikhs. The desecrations are continuing to happen in so many places across Punjab and this seems to indicate an organised campaign to hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. Many Sikhs will choose to mark this by not lighting candles or using fireworks this year when celebrating Bandhi Chhor Divas. Other Sikhs and Gurdwaras will be using the opportunity to raise awareness of the events in Punjab by asking members of their community to light candles in a vigil to mark recent events.”
He added, “Gurdwaras and Sikhs will continue to celebrate Bandhi Chhor Divas through the established Sikh ways of Kirtan, Katha, Ardas, Langar etc. The Gurus taught that the divine light of Waheguru (God) is achieved not through candles and fireworks but through the Gurbani contained within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Gurbani, consisting of writings by six of the ten Sikh Gurus as well as many saints and bhagats of other faiths is therefore seen as the key to salvation in difficult times.”
