Will take up the issue of permission for women to perform Kirtan inside Sri Harmandir Sahib, says Akal Takht Jathedar

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Commenting on the recent resolution passed by the Punjab assembly seeking permission for women to perform Kirtan inside Sri Harmandir Sahib, the acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has said that the issue pertains to the code of conduct of Sri Darbar Sahib and it needs to be deliberated in the light of Gurmat.

“I have not received any communication in this regard from the Punjab government. But once I receive any communication in this regard, I will take up the issue,” he said while adding that this issue can’t be concluded in a single line.

SGPC’s chief secretary Dr. Roop Singh has said that the code of conduct (Maryada) in Sri Harmandir Sahib was different from other Sikh shrines. “This issue should not have been raised from a political platform,” he added.

Favoring the Punjab assembly’s resolution, SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur has said that the women should be allowed to perform Kirtan inside sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib as there is no place for discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, social status or gender in Sikh philosophy.