AMRITSAR SAHIB—Bhai Balbir Singh ‘ardasia’ (ardas sevadar) at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar, refused to give siropa to Sukhbir Badal. Sukhbir was at Sri Harmandir Sahib on January 20, along with several other leaders of the Akali Dal (B) and his personal security guards. Around 7 AM, as Sukhbir entered Sri Harmandir Sahib from the VVIP lane, Bhai Balbir Singh was asked to present a siropa to him, however, considering the recent cases of sacrilege in Punjab, the elderly sevadar refused to present siropa.
As Bhai Balbir Singh refused to honour Sukhbir Badal, another SGPC employee had to be called to present siropa. Sukhbir was here to launch Khadoor Sahib by-poll election campaign.
Since the incident took place yesterday, the SGPC executives have been under a lot of pressure to take stern action against Bhai Balbir Singh. After the incident, Bhai Balbir Singh was asked by the SGPC to explain the refusal to present siropa. Bhai Balbir Singh said he doesn’t know if his action was right or wrong, however Guru Ramdas knows why he took the step.
“Whatever happened to several saroops of Guru Granth Sahib was much worse, but nothing was done against that,” he asked.
While pro-Badal SGPC executives are upset, a number of Darbar Sahib sevadars have appreciated the step. Hazoori Ragi Bhai Harcharan Singh posted Bhai Balbir Singh’s picture on his Facebook wall, appreciating his courage and bold stance.
A true Khalsa and credit to the Panth! Waheguru has already blessed him for speaking out the truth and remaining steadfast with Sikhi. This is exactly the Miri-Piri principle in action that the Badals want to castrate and the reason why it must remain central to a Sikh’s psyche as the Badals want saropas from their eunuch SGPC.
May God bless Bhai Balbir Singh ji with lot of happiness and Guru ji’s blessings. Sikh panth is proud of him.
How is this a rebellion against the government. Please stop marginalizing his act to uphold sikhi by misusing the word rebel.